Conditional or Subsequent 再 in Chinese
再
再 places an action after another action, condition, or future reference point. It can mean then, again, or additionally, but in each case the event remains unrealized relative to that point. In instructions and conditions, the prerequisite comes first and 再 stands immediately before the action that should follow.
Published July 23, 2026
Reviewed July 23, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
Condition/First Action + 再 + Later Action
Read the structure
再 places an action after another action, condition, or future reference point. It can mean then, again, or additionally, but in each case the event remains unrealized relative to that point. In instructions and conditions, the prerequisite comes first and 再 stands immediately before the action that should follow. Keep the model Condition/First Action + 再 + Later Action visible while you compare each sentence.
我们明天再来。
We will come again tomorrow.
Choose the right context
Use 再 before a future repetition of an action. Use 先…再… to order a first and later step. Place 再 in the result clause after a prerequisite with 等 or 如果.
先吃饭，再写作业。
Eat first, then do your homework.
Respect the boundary
Do not use 再 for a repetition already completed in the past. Do not place 再 after the later verb phrase it modifies. Do not put the 再 action before the condition that must be satisfied first.
我们明天再又来一次。
(We will come again tomorrow.)
Repair the pattern
Two repetition adverbs stacked: 再 already marks the future repetition; adding 又 in the same adverb slot redundantly gives the event competing reference points. Perfective 了 splits 再 from its action: 再 must directly precede the later verb phrase 写作业; perfective 了 cannot occupy the slot between this adverb and its action.
我们明天再来一次。
Use the repaired structure without changing the intended meaning.
02 / MAP
Read the Sentence
Read from left to right and notice the job performed by each part. The labels describe this example; they are not a rule that every Chinese sentence must copy.
我们明天再来。
We will come again tomorrow.
我们
Condition/First Action
This part occupies the Condition/First Action position in the model pattern.
明天
再
This part occupies the 再 position in the model pattern.
再来
Later Action
This part occupies the Later Action position in the model pattern.
03 / EXAMPLES
Examples You Can Reuse
Keep the structure stable while changing the people, objects, times, or conditions. Pinyin is shown as reading support; use the Chinese sentence and translation to confirm the grammar relationship.
我们明天再来。
We will come again tomorrow.
先吃饭，再写作业。
Eat first, then do your homework.
等他回来再说。
Let us discuss it after he returns.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- Use 再 before a future repetition of an action.
- Use 先…再… to order a first and later step.
- Place 再 in the result clause after a prerequisite with 等 or 如果.
Do not use it when
- Do not use 再 for a repetition already completed in the past.
- Do not place 再 after the later verb phrase it modifies.
- Do not put the 再 action before the condition that must be satisfied first.
05 / REPAIR
Compare Right and Wrong
Compare the smallest meaningful change. Each explanation identifies a placement, scope, form, or clause relationship instead of treating the whole sentence as one undifferentiated mistake.
我们明天再又来一次。
我们明天再来一次。
Two repetition adverbs stacked
再 already marks the future repetition; adding 又 in the same adverb slot redundantly gives the event competing reference points.
先吃饭，再了写作业。
先吃饭，再写作业。
Perfective 了 splits 再 from its action
再 must directly precede the later verb phrase 写作业; perfective 了 cannot occupy the slot between this adverb and its action.
我们明天再又来一次。
再 already marks the future repetition; adding 又 in the same adverb slot redundantly gives the event competing reference points.
先吃饭，再了写作业。
再 must directly precede the later verb phrase 写作业; perfective 了 cannot occupy the slot between this adverb and its action.
06 / PRACTICE
Practice the Grammar Point
Complete three short tasks in order: judge the pattern, repair a common error, and build the sentence. Feedback is fixed and reviewed, so these activities do not use a checker allowance.
1. Judge the sentence
2. Choose the correction
3. Build the sentence
Build a complete sentence with 再.
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 再. Your draft moves to the checker through this browser session, selects this grammar point as the first review focus, and waits for you to submit.
08 / QUESTIONS
Conditional or Subsequent 再 Questions
How do 再 and 又 differ?
再 normally looks forward from a reference point; 又 commonly reports repetition that has occurred or is occurring.
Can 再 mean additionally?
Yes. It can introduce a further action or point, still placed before that addition.
09 / SOURCES
Sources and Review Notes
These references support different parts of the lesson. GF0025-2021 supports level placement only; professional grammar works support the explanation, limits, examples, and cross-checks. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement.
Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education (GF0025-2021)
Ministry of Education and State Language Commission · Ministry of Education of the PRC · 2021
Locator: GF0025-2021 Appendix A, Level 3 item 【三16】 (PDF p. 200)
Provides official Level 3 directory placement and examples only; it does not establish the learner-facing usage explanation.
Official sourceModern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide, 3rd ed.
Ross, Ma, Chen, He and Yeh · Routledge · 2024
Locator: Chapter 36, §36.2, prospective repetition with 再; Chapter 37, §37.5, realized repetition with 又
Distinguishes prospective 再 from realized repetition with 又 and places 再 before a later or conditional action.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
Easy to confuse
一再/再三Repeated Action with 一再 and 再三
再 marks a future or conditional repetition; 一再 and 再三 describe an action already repeated many times.
Easy to confuse
马上/先/有时/正在Basic Time and Progress Adverbs
Distinguish 再 for a later or conditional repetition from 正在 for an action in progress now.
Continue learning
又/再又 (yòu) vs 再 (zài): Again
Put the already-yet-unresolved opposition between 再 and 又 back to the adverb position after analysis, and continue to check the action realization status.
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Continue learning
Put the already-yet-unresolved opposition between 再 and 又 back to the adverb position after analysis, and continue to check the action realization status.