再び
futatabi
Again; once more
Expresses doing something again, often with a sense of formality or a fresh start.
How to form it
Used adverbially before a verb (e.g., 再び会う) or before a clause. It does not conjugate; it modifies the following verb or phrase.
What it means
再び is an adverb meaning 'again' or 'once more.' It is more formal and literary than また, carrying a nuance of repetition after an interval or a deliberate return to a previous state. You will often see it in written announcements, news, or speeches, but it can also be used in everyday conversation when you want to sound a bit dramatic or serious.
Use it directly before the verb or phrase it modifies: 再び + verb (dictionary or past form depending on context). Unlike また, it does not combine with casual sentence endings as freely; it sounds odd in very informal chat. For example, 'I'll see you again' could be 再びお会いしましょう, but in casual speech you'd say また会おう.
Note that 再び often implies a second occurrence of something that had previously happened, but it can also be used for a fresh attempt. It is not used for habitual repetition (for that, use また or もう一度).
Example sentences
再び同じ過ちを繰り返さないように気をつけます。
Futatabi onaji ayamachi o kurikaesanai you ni ki wo tsukemasu.
I'll be careful not to repeat the same mistake again.
彼は三年ぶりに再び故郷を訪れた。
Kare wa san-nen buri ni futatabi kokyou o otozureta.
He visited his hometown again after three years.
再びチャンスがあれば、挑戦してみたいです。
Futatabi chansu ga areba, chousen shite mitai desu.
If I get a chance again, I'd like to try it.
Don’t confuse it with
また
また is neutral and widely used in both speech and writing; 再び is more formal and often implies a significant second occurrence. Use また for casual 'again' (e.g., また会おう). Use 再び for formal or dramatic statements.
Check you’ve got it
Write your own sentence
The fastest way to own a grammar point is to use it once, about your own life. Your sentence is saved to your free account with this point.
Formal and literary; common in written Japanese, news, and speeches, but less common in casual conversation.
Next in the N2 path
35Questions
What does 再び mean?
Again; once more. Expresses doing something again, often with a sense of formality or a fresh start.
How do you form 再び?
Used adverbially before a verb (e.g., 再び会う) or before a clause. It does not conjugate; it modifies the following verb or phrase.
Example of 再び in a sentence
再び同じ過ちを繰り返さないように気をつけます。 — I'll be careful not to repeat the same mistake again.
また — what is the difference?
また is neutral and widely used in both speech and writing; 再び is more formal and often implies a significant second occurrence. Use また for casual 'again' (e.g., また会おう). Use 再び for formal or dramatic statements.
What JLPT level is 再び?
JLPT N2 (upper intermediate), number 34 of 195 in Nihoner's learning order for N2.
Save your grammar
Create a free account and everything you saved will be waiting — with your progress on every JLPT grammar point.
Free · no card · what you saved is kept