又 · 再 · 重新
又: again (it has happened) · 再: again (not yet) · 重新: again, from the start
Structure
主语 + 又 + 动词 + 了 · 主语 + 再 + 动词 · 重新 + 动词
What it means
Three ways to say “again”: 又 for a repeat that has already happened, 再 for one that hasn’t happened yet, 重新 for “again, from the start”.
How it is built
Subject + 又 + verb + 了: 他今天又来晚了 (He’s late again today). Subject + 再 + verb: 明天再来吧 (Come again tomorrow). 重新 + verb: 重新写 (write it again).
When to use it
Use 再 for plans and requests (明天再穿, h1-17). Use 重新 when the first try went wrong. This 又 is not the 又……又…… of h2-4 (“both … and …”).
Watch out
To ask someone to do it again, use 再, never 又. ✗ 请又写一遍。 ✓ 请再写一遍。
Examples
他今天又来晚了。
He’s late again today.
这个字我又写错了！
I’ve got this character wrong again!
今天太晚了，明天再来吧。
It’s too late today. Come again tomorrow.
这个字写错了，你重新写一下。
This character is wrong. Write it out again.
Learn this in HSK 2 · Lesson 13: 这个字写错了 (Studying characters)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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