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The differences between “再” and “又.”

Apr. 17, 2013

The correct answer is A.

Translation:

          Nǐ míngtiān zài jiā ma?
Sam:你   明天     在 家  吗?

          Will you be at home tomorrow?

          Shénme? Nǐ zài shuō yí biàn.
Amy:什么?     你 再    说  一  遍。

          What? Could you say it again?

Explanation:

This test aims to examine your knowledge of the Chinese words 再 (zài) and 又 (yòu).

1. (yòu)

又 (yòu) means “again.” It is used when the same action has happened twice. For example, if a salesman came once in the morning, and then shows up at your door in the afternoon, he has done the same action twice. You can say to him: “你怎么来了?(Nǐ zěnme yòu lái le?)” meaning, “Why did you come again?”

Examples:

Jīntiān yòu xià yǔ le.
今天       下  雨 了。

It’s raining again today.

Yòu shì miàntiáo, nǐ chī ba, wǒ bù xiǎng chī.
    是     面条, 你  吃 吧,我  不  想    吃。

Noodles again! You eat. I don’t want any.

2. (zài)

(1). 再 (zài) also means “again,” but 再 (zài) is used only in situations where the repetition of the action hasn’t happened yet. For example, in the above conversation, Amy asks Sam to repeat himself once again. Sam hasn’t actually repeated this action yet, so Amy uses 再 (zài) rather than又 (yòu).

Example:

Nǐ zài shì yí cì.
 再  试 一 次。

Please try again.

(2). Besides meaning “again,” 再 (zài) can be used colloquially to mean “more.”

Examples:

Zài yǒnggǎn yìdiǎn!
    勇敢     一点!

Be braver!

Zài chī diǎnr  ba!
   吃 点儿   吧!

Eat more!

(3). 再 (zài) also sometimes has a similar meaning to “then.”

Examples:

Xiǎng hǎo zài xiě.
想       好   再  写。

Think carefully, then write.

Chī wán zài shuō.
吃    完   再   说。

Finish eating, then speak.

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Comments

It’s really interested to study chines language.and you send to me useful test thanks.

Sir,
Please tell me the use of Xi1wang4.Thanks

Hello Jaluka Dedraj,

“希望 (xi1wang4)” means “hope” or “wish.” It not only can be used as a verb, but also can be used as a noun.

1. When uses as a verb, it always used behind the subject.

For example, 我希望我会成功。(Wo3 xi2wang4 wo3 hui4 cheng2gong) I hope I may succeed.

2. When used as a noun

For example: 青少年是祖国的希望。 (Qing1shao4nian2 shi4 zu3guo2 de xi1wang4.) The teenagers are the hope of the motherland.

Now, can you use the word “希望 (xi1wang4)?” Could you use the word to make sentences?

Hello Ali Akbar,

I am glad to hear that you like the test. We update the Chinese test weekly, if you like it, I will send you the newsletter after we update the test.

Do you think the test level is suitable for you?

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