又
again (of a completed action); also; both...and...
yòu
What does 又 mean?
又 (yòu) is the Chinese adverb for 'again' — but specifically for actions that have already happened or that recur in a pattern. Three core uses to master. (1) 'Again' for a completed/repeated event: 他又来了 ('he came again'); 我又迟到了 ('I was late again'). Contrast with 再 (zài), which is 'again' for future actions: 再来一次 ('come again / one more time'). (2) 'Both...and...' in the pattern 又...
又... — 又便宜又好吃 ('both cheap and tasty'); 又高又帅 ('both tall and handsome'). (3) Mild contradiction or addition: 我又没说 ('but I didn't say so'). Position is fixed: 又 goes before the verb. Don't confuse with 还
Character breakdown
again; also; in addition
Memory hook: The character pictures a right hand — like reaching out again to do something one more time.
Example sentences
他今天又迟到了。
Tā jīntiān yòu chídào le.
He was late again today.
spoken
这件衣服又便宜又好看。
Zhè jiàn yīfu yòu piányi yòu hǎokàn.
This piece of clothing is both cheap and nice-looking.
spoken
下雨了，我又忘了带伞。
Xià yǔ le, wǒ yòu wàng le dài sǎn.
It's raining, and I forgot to bring an umbrella again.
spoken
他又高又瘦。
Tā yòu gāo yòu shòu.
He is both tall and thin.
neutral
你怎么又来了？
Nǐ zěnme yòu lái le?
How come you're here again?
spoken
Common phrases with 又
Synonyms
再 is 'again' for future / unrealized actions: 再来一次 ('do it one more time' — hasn't happened yet). 又 is for actions that already happened or recur. Tense test: past = 又, future = 再.