また
mata[ma̠ta̠]
The English word 'again' is translated into Japanese as また (mata). Wiktionary also lists 又 (mata) and 再び (futatabi).
Meaning: another time (adv)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| また | mata | [ma̠ta̠] (narrow) | |
| 又 | mata | ||
| 再び | futatabi | [ɸɯ̟ta̠ta̠bʲi] (narrow) | |
| もう一度 | mō ichido | [mo̞ː it͡ɕido̞] (narrow) | |
| 再度 | saido | [sa̠ido̞] (narrow) | formal |
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase もう一度 breaks down into もう meaning 'more' and 一度 meaning 'one time'.
Which one should you use?
もう一度 emphasizes the specific action of doing something 'one more time' (literally 'once more'). 再び is a formal term used to convey the meaning of 'once more' or 'anew'. 再度 is a formal, technical or business-oriented term specifically used to mean 'once more' or 'a second time'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For an informal way to say 'one more time' or 'once again', you can use もう一回. もう一度 is considered neutral. For formal or professional situations, use 再び or 再度.
How do you pronounce it?
mata
When do people say it?
The word また can be used alone as a greeting to mean 'See you again' or 'See you later'.
Did you know?
- The word また has been recorded in Japanese texts as far back as the 'Nihon Shoki' in 720 CE.
- In some contexts, また can act as a conjunction meaning 'also' or 'furthermore' at the start of a sentence, rather than an adverb meaning 'again'.
- The counter 度 in もう一度 is used for counting occurrences of events, which is a different grammatical category than counting physical objects like apples or books.
Examples in context
- また来てね。Come again.This sentence shows how to use また to invite someone to come back.Tatoeba #3488274 by arnab, translation #2111934 by CK
- また話し中だ。The line is busy again.This sentence demonstrates また describing a recurring state of a phone line being busy.Tatoeba #195381 by bunbuku, translation #32556 by CK
- また始まった。There you go again.This sentence uses また to express frustration when something starts happening again.Tatoeba #195437 by bunbuku, translation #32612 by CM
- この本をもう一度読んでみたいです。I want to read this book again.
- このプロジェクトを再び始めましょう。Let's start this project again.
- ミーティングを再度スケジュールしましょう。Let's reschedule the meeting.
- もう一回やりたい。I want to do it again.
- また今度行きたいですね。I would like to go another time.
- 593 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are saying goodbye after a short hangout.
- 大翔 Hirotoまた明日ね。Mata ashita ne.See you again tomorrow.
- 美咲 Misakiうん、また明日！Un, mata ashita!Yeah, see you again tomorrow!
- 大翔 Hirotoじゃあ、またね。Jaa, mata ne.Well, see you again.
- 美咲 Misakiバイバイ！Baibai!Bye bye!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “again” translations and entries また, 又, 再び, もう一度, 再度, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries また, 再び, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
