Meanings of 又
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About 又
Podcast: 又
Podcast: 又
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AI Study Notes for 又
又 (yòu) vs 再 (zài) — use 又 for indicating 'also' or 'again' in a context of addition, while 再 emphasizes repetition or doing something again in the future.
Imagine a person who has just finished a delicious meal and says, '又 (yòu) I want more!' The character 又 looks like a person with arms raised, asking for more food, reminding you of the meaning of 'again' or 'also.'
Learners often confuse 又 with 还 (hái), which also means 'also' but is typically used in different contexts. Be mindful of the tone; 又 is pronounced with a falling tone (yòu), which can change the meaning if mispronounced. Common collocations include '又...又...' (both... and...) to express dual qualities.
As an HSK 3 word, 又 connects well with other common words like 还 (hái) and 也 (yě), which also express addition or similarity. Students should practice using 又 in sentences to reinforce its dual function of repeating actions and adding information.
In Chinese culture, the concept of repetition is significant, often seen in traditional sayings and proverbs that highlight the importance of persistence and continuity. The use of 又 reflects a cultural appreciation for ongoing experiences and relationships.
A common mistake is using 又 in place of 也 (yě) in contexts where you want to say 'also.' For example, saying '我又喜欢猫' (I again like cats) instead of '我也喜欢猫' (I also like cats) is incorrect.
Pronunciation of 又
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Etymology of 又
Pictograph of a hand. The character is based on the original meaning "right hand", which is unrelated to the modern meaning.
A right hand, representing a pair; compare 左
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 又?
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Practice writing 又 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 又
又 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 6 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.
Used to express 'both... and...' or 'also... also...'.
他又高又帅。
He is both tall and handsome.
Complete the Sentence
这个饭馆的菜____好吃又便宜。
The food at this restaurant is both delicious and cheap.
Common Confusions with 又
Similar shape but different meaning and pronunciation.
Similar pronunciation but different meaning.
Spot the Difference
Which character means "(once) again"?
Usage Notes for 又
Learners often confuse 又 with 也 (yě), which means 'also'. Remember that 又 emphasizes the repeated action or state.
我又来了。
I am here again.
Fill in the Blank
我____来了。
I am here again.
Example Sentences for 又 (10)
Cultural Notes for 又
The character '又' represents the idea of 'again' or 'also' and is visually a pair of hands, symbolizing repetition or a return to something. This reflects a common theme in Chinese culture where repetition signifies emphasis or importance.
In Chinese culture, the concept of repetition is significant, often seen in traditional sayings and proverbs that highlight the importance of persistence and continuity. The use of 又 reflects a cultural appreciation for ongoing experiences and relationships.
In Western cultures, the concept of 'again' can often imply redundancy, whereas in Chinese culture, repeating actions or phrases is a way to show sincerity and emphasis, which is reflected in the use of '又'.
Word Family of 又
Compound Meaning
What does 对 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 又
又 (yòu) is used for actions that have already happened, while 再 (zài) is for future actions that will happen again. For example, '我又吃了' (Wǒ yòu chī le) means 'I have eaten again', while '我再吃' (Wǒ zài chī) means 'I will eat again'.