HSK 3 · VERSION 2.0#84
Comparing “zài” and “yòu”
再 vs 又
How it works
Both can mean “again,” but they are used in different situations.
The difference
再 = again in the future 又 = again in the past or in a repeated current situation
Example sentences
明天我们再谈吧。
Let’s talk again tomorrow.
他昨天又迟到了。
He was late again yesterday.
你先想一想，等会儿再回答。
Think it over first, then answer a little later.
Usage note
再 can also introduce a later step in a sequence, as in the final example; it does not always mean repeating an earlier action.