Grammar Info

N4 Lesson 2: 5/17

またAlso, As well, Moreover, Again, Additionally

Structure

また + Phrase

Details

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    Standard

  • Rare Kanji

    叉・又

About また

また, or 又(また) in its kanji form, is an expression which means 'again', 'additionally', 'also', or 'moreover'. This may seem confusing at first, but it may be easier to think of また as meaning 'repetition of (A)', where (A) is any particular course of action. This repetition is a bit different to English, in that it can express the same action, or an alternative option. また can be used as an adverb, or as a conjunction. In this lesson, we will focus on its use as a conjunction.

As with many other conjunctions in Japanese, a phrase/sentence can begin with また, so long as that sentence expresses a complete thought.

Due to また being quite different to any single word that we have in English, let's try to make the meaning a bit clearer. Imagine that '(A) action always has (B) result'. However, the action which leads to the (B) result could be many different things. Because of this, また can have the following meanings.

The same (A) action is taken - Has the nuance of 'again', or 'moreover'.

A different (A) action is taken - Has the nuance of 'also', and 'additionally'.

Examples

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    また寝坊(ねぼう)したの？

    You overslept again?

    またその夢(ゆめ)を見(み)たい。

    I want to dream that dream again.

    また、彼(かれ)からチョコをもらった。

    Moreover, I received chocolate from him.

    私(わたし)は、また旅行(りょこう)に行(い)くつもりです。

    I intend to go on another trip. (again)

    明日(あした)から、また授業(じゅぎょう)が始(はじ)まります。

    Class will start again from tomorrow.

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      また – Grammar Discussion

      Most Recent Replies (5 in total)

      • tai

        tai

        In the case of 「このスマホは面面がいい。また、いい写真を撮れる。」 It’s pretty obvious that また doesn’t mean “again”, but in the case of the 「また、彼はチョコを買ってくれた。」, “again” feels like the more natural interpretation to me as a non-native learner.

        Without context, is there any way to discern that in「また、彼はチョコを買ってくれた。」, the 「また」 more likely means or implies moreover as opposed to again? (as mentioned, maybe the pause/comma?) Or would the standalone sentence without context be ambiguous to native readers/listeners too?

      • Shinzo

        Shinzo

        Would like to know this as well. When I read the sentence back, there is no way I would assume また is supposed to mean “moreover” here. It would be totally plausible in my opinion to assume that “he” gave the speaker chocolate again. Maybe this is said by a girl on who “he” has a crush on and she is annoyed by receiving the chocolate? Never know without context.

        Is it possible to exclude a single sentence from a grammar point? Since there is only one example for また being interpreted as “moreover”, I would rather exclude this single sentence.

      • Fuga

        Fuga

        Hey @tai @Shinzo !

        As a native speaker, I assumed that this sentence was using the ‘moreover’ translation instead of the ‘again’ because of the comma. The pause between また and 彼 changes the nuance from ‘again’ to ‘moreover/additionally’ and gives the sentence a different nuance. It is safe to assume that if a comma is used after また, it means ‘moreover’.

        I hope that answers your question!

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