HSK 4
频率、重复副词:一再、再三
pín lǜ 、 chóng fù fù cí : yí zài 、 zài sān
Adverbs of frequency, repetition: 一再、再三
Explanation
一再 (yīzài) and 再三 (zàisān) are both adverbs (words that modify verbs), meaning "repeatedly, time and again", used to emphasize that an action is repeated.
subject (the doer) + 一再/再三 (yīzài/zàisān) + verb. This adverb always comes BEFORE the verb.
when you want to emphasize that someone does something over and over out of persistence, effort, or anxiety, such as reminding, explaining, requesting, or affirming. 一再 often goes with 表示 (biǎoshì, to express), 强调 (qiángdiào, to emphasize), 要求 (yāoqiú, to request); 再三 often goes with 解释 (jiěshì, to explain), 叮嘱 (dīngzhǔ, to urge/exhort), 劝说 (quànshuō, to persuade).
一再 and 再三 have nearly the same meaning and are often interchangeable; 再三 sounds slightly more classical and usually stresses urging or advising. Both differ from 又 (yòu) / 再 (zài, again) in that they emphasize a HIGH NUMBER OF TIMES rather than merely saying "once more".
placing them in the wrong position, putting the verb first and then 一再/再三; the correct order is 再三 followed by the verb. Also, do not use these two words for an action that happens only once.
Examples
He repeatedly stated that he would not attend this meeting.
I explained again and again, but he still didn't believe me.
Practice
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The grammar point “频率、重复副词:一再、再三” (Adverbs of frequency, repetition: 一再、再三) is one of the key structures at HSK 4. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
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