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HSK 2.0 Level 6+ HSK 3.0 Level 6+ 6 min read

Frequency Adverbs 一再 and 再三

Use 一再 and 再三 to say something was done or happened again and again, and know why only 再三 can follow a verb.

Pattern

一再 / 再三 + verb; verb + 再三

Both mean “many times”, but only 再三 can follow the verb: 考虑再三.

这件事我考虑再三，还是决定不去了。

When to use Frequency Adverbs 一再 and 再三

Both mean “again and again, many times” and go before the verb: 一再提醒, 再三要求. The key difference is position: 再三 can also come right after a verb to mean “after doing it over and over”, as in 考虑再三 and 犹豫再三, while 一再 never follows the verb.

妈妈一再叮嘱我路上小心。

Mom told me again and again to be careful on the way.

他一再向我们表示感谢。

He thanked us again and again.

经理再三要求大家按时交报告。

The manager asked everyone time and again to hand in their reports on time.

因为下大雨，比赛一再推迟。

Because of the heavy rain, the match was postponed again and again.

Common traps

  • Only 再三 can follow a verb: 考虑再三, not 考虑一再.
  • When the subject is an event, not a person, 一再 sounds natural: 比赛一再推迟, rather than 比赛再三推迟.
  • For one more time in the future use 再: 请你明天再来, not 请你明天一再来.

Targeted drill

Practice this exact pattern before moving on.

会议九点开始，他九点 到了

The meeting began at nine; he arrived on time at nine
Fill in the missing piece, then press Enter

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