lại + Verb

Do It Again

Level 3

Place lại directly before a verb to say that an event is happening again. While it can be neutral, it is very commonly used to complain about repeated, unfavorable events.

How It Works

The lại + Verb pattern is highly frequent in everyday Vietnamese across all registers.

1. The 'Here We Go Again' Nuance
While it can simply state a fact, preverbal lại is the standard grammatical tool for expressing annoyance, frustration, or surprise when something happens again. For example, Trời lại mưa (It's raining again) often implies 'Ugh, not again.'

2. Word Order is Crucial
Because English puts 'again' at the end of the sentence, learners often make the mistake of putting lại after the verb when they want to express that an event is recurring. Remember:

  • lại + Verb: The event recurred (lại làm = does it again).
  • Verb + lại: Redoing an action (làm lại = to redo), returning, or gathering. Crucially, it is the direct equivalent of the English word 'back' in phrasal verbs (e.g., gọi lại = call back, quay lại = come/go back, nhìn lại = look back).
  • Verb + Object + lại vs Verb + lại + Object: Placing an object before lại often indicates securing or closing (đóng cửa lại = close the door), whereas placing it after means repeating the action (đóng lại cửa = close the door again).
  • Adjective + lại: Indicates a reduction in size, volume, or intensity (nhỏ lại = get smaller), or returning to a normal, previous, or better state (khỏe lại = to get well again).

3. Other Core Functions of Lại
Beyond repetition, lại serves several other essential roles:

  • In Questions: Used after question words to express surprise or bafflement (Sao anh lại làm thế? = Why on earth did you do that?).
  • For Contrast (Unexpectedly / Yet): Used before a verb or adjective to express an unexpected turn of events or contrast (e.g., Nó nhỏ mà lại rất khỏe = He is small but unexpectedly very strong).
  • As a Contrastive Subject Marker: Means 'whereas' or 'on the other hand' when contrasting two different subjects (e.g., Tôi thích trà, anh ấy lại thích cà phê. = I like tea; he, on the other hand, likes coffee).
  • As an Additive Conjunction: Means 'moreover' (e.g., đã... lại còn... = not only... but also...).
  • As a Main Verb: Means 'to come' or 'to approach' (Lại đây! = Come here!).

4. Compared to Nữa
If you want to express neutral, incremental repetition ('more' or 'another time'), you should use nữa at the end of the clause instead. However, note that lại and nữa are frequently used together in the same clause (e.g., lại + Verb + nữa) to heavily emphasize repetition and amplify annoyance (e.g., Trời lại mưa nữa! = It's raining again!).

Examples (4)

  1. Trời lại mưa.

    It is raining again.

    Word by Word: Sky again rain.

    A classic example that often carries a tone of mild annoyance or resignation.

  2. Anh ấy lại đến muộn.

    He arrived late again.

    Word by Word: He again arrive late.

    Expresses a complaint about a repeated negative behavior.

  3. Hôm qua tôi đã đến trường, ngày mai tôi lại đến.

    Yesterday I went to school, tomorrow I will go again.

    Word by Word: Yesterday I already arrive school, tomorrow I again arrive.

    Demonstrates that 'lại' can also be used for completely neutral, factual repetition.

  4. Máy tính lại hỏng rồi!

    The computer broke down again!

    Word by Word: Computer again broken already!

    Shows frustration over a recurring problem.

Common Mistakes

  • Placing 'lại' after the verb when wanting to express that an event is recurring.

    Anh ấy đến lại.
    Anh ấy lại đến.

    Because English puts 'again' at the end of a sentence, learners often place 'lại' after the verb when they want to express that an event is recurring. However, Verb + lại means to 'redo' an action, return, or gather, and is the direct equivalent of the English word 'back' (e.g., gọi lại = call back). Variations like 'Verb + Object + lại' mean to close or secure, and 'Adjective + lại' means to reduce. To say an event simply recurred, 'lại' must go before the verb.

  • Using 'lại' when asking for 'more' of something or an incremental continuation.

    Tôi muốn lại ăn.
    Tôi muốn ăn nữa.

    Preverbal 'lại' focuses on the recurrence of an event. If you want to express 'more' or 'another time' incrementally, use nữa at the end of the clause.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

lại + VerbLevel 3Do It Again

Learn This First

To use 'lại' to mean 'again', you simply need to understand basic Vietnamese word order and the fact that verbs remain in their base form. This pattern functions as a pre-verbal adverb to indicate the repetition of an action.

Words in This Pattern