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March 24, 2026
再zài(zai4)
The character 再 (zài) means 'again' or 'once more.' It is commonly used to indicate repetition, whether in actions, events, or time. In phrases like 再见 (zài jiàn, 'see you again') and 再来一次 (zài lái yī cì, 'do it once more'), it emphasizes the action being repeated or revisited.
Strokes6Radical冂Frequency#74DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the idea of 'doing something again' is often associated with perseverance and the belief in second chances, reflecting a cultural value of resilience. For instance, students might hear '再试一次' (zài shì yī cì, 'try again') as encouragement in academic settings.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person standing at a crossroads, deciding to go back and try a path again. The two strokes of 再 can represent the action of going back, while the character itself sounds like 'zài,' which is reminiscent of the word 'try' in English. Visualize them pointing at the previous path, saying, 'Let's go again!'
Meanings of 再
zài(zai4)
1again
2once more
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 再
再Simplified
6Strokes
冂Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#74Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L2HSK 3.0L1ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 再
Podcast: 再
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AI Study Notes for 再
Quick Contrast
再 (zài) vs 又 (yòu) — use 再 for 'again' in future contexts or repeated actions, while 又 is used for 'again' when referring to something that has already happened.
Usage Notes
When using 再, ensure it is placed before the verb to indicate repetition correctly, such as in 再说 (zài shuō, 'say again'). A common mistake is to confuse it with 还 (hái), which can also mean 'again' but often implies 'also' or 'still' in different contexts. Register is generally informal.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 2 word, 再 is essential for building sentences that involve repetition or future actions. Students should practice combining 再 with different verbs to form phrases, enhancing their ability to express future intentions and actions.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mix up 再 with 还, leading to phrases like '再也不' (zài yě bù) instead of the correct '还不' (hái bù) when implying 'not anymore.' Remember that 再 emphasizes doing something again, while 还 implies addition or continuation.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 再
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Origin unclear. Possibly contains 二 (two) as a component, to convey the meaning "second time; again".
1The giveawayTwo fish 冉 caught on a line 一
2On the record aspictographic — someone drew the thing itself.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 再? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 再?
Decomposition of 再
IDS Structure⿱一冉
再Full Character
=
一yi1
top
冉ran3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 再?
How to say again in Chinese
“again” in Chinese is再zài
The character 再 (zài) means 'again' or 'once more.' It is commonly used to indicate repetition, whether in actions, events, or time. In phrases like 再见 (zài jiàn, 'see you again') and 再来一次 (zài lái yī cì, 'do it once more'), it emphasizes the action being repeated or revisited.
When to use 再
When using 再, ensure it is placed before the verb to indicate repetition correctly, such as in 再说 (zài shuō, 'say again'). A common mistake is to confuse it with 还 (hái), which can also mean 'again' but often implies 'also' or 'still' in different contexts. Register is generally informal.
再 or something close to it
再 (zài) vs 又 (yòu) — use 再 for 'again' in future contexts or repeated actions, while 又 is used for 'again' when referring to something that has already happened.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mix up 再 with 还, leading to phrases like '再也不' (zài yě bù) instead of the correct '还不' (hái bù) when implying 'not anymore.' Remember that 再 emphasizes doing something again, while 还 implies addition or continuation.
Write 再
再
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Practice writing 再 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 再
再 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 7 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
