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在 vs 再 (zài vs zài) — At/in vs again

Both are pronounced zài, which makes them a classic spelling problem. 在 is a location verb or preposition: 我在家, 在北京工作. 再 is an adverb meaning "again" or "then": 再见, 再说, 明天再来.

word-choiceHSK 2Difficulty 30
Where it goes
在 + place: 在学校, 在公司. 再 + verb: 再来一次, 再说吧.
What it does
  • 01在 — location verb: 他在图书馆
  • 02在 — preposition before a verb phrase: 我在家工作
  • 03再 — again: 再说一遍, 再见
  • 04再 — then, afterwards: 吃完再去
Common learner errors
  • 在见 → 再见
  • 在次 → 再次
  • 小心: 再说 (say again / besides) is spelled 再, while 在说 (is saying) is spelled 在 — 你现在在说什么?
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