The word 再说 (zàishuō) has three distinct meanings in Chinese that can confuse learners. Understanding the context is key to grasping whether it means "besides/furthermore," "let's talk about it later," or "speak again." Each usage appears frequently in Chinese comics, dramas, and everyday conversation.
再说 Multiple Meanings
intermediate
Three Main Uses:
- Besides/Furthermore - adding additional points
- Let's talk later - postponing discussions or decisions
- Speak again - literal meaning of talking again
Context determines meaning - sentence structure and situation provide clues.
Meaning 1: Besides/Furthermore (最常用)
我不想去，再说我也没时间。
Wǒ bù xiǎng qù, zàishuō wǒ yě méi shíjiān.
I don't want to go, and besides, I don't have time either.
Word breakdown:
我wǒIpronoun
不想bù xiǎngdon't wantverb
去qùto goverb
再说zàishuōbesidesconjunction
我wǒIpronoun
也yěalsoadverb
没méidon't haveverb
时间shíjiāntimenoun
Usage Pattern for "Besides":
- Often follows a main reason
- Introduces additional supporting points
- Usually in the middle of a sentence
- Common with 也 (yě - also)
这个手机太贵了，再说功能我也用不着。
Zhège shǒujī tài guì le, zàishuō gōngnéng wǒ yě yòng bù zháo.
This phone is too expensive, and besides, I don't need those features.
Word breakdown:
这个zhègethisdemonstrative
手机shǒujīphonenoun
太tàitooadverb
贵guìexpensiveadjective
了lecompleted changeparticle
再说zàishuōbesidesconjunction
功能gōngnéngfeaturesnoun
我wǒIpronoun
也yěalsoadverb
用不着yòng bù zháodon't needverb phrase
Meaning 2: Let's Talk Later (postponement)
这件事太复杂了，我们再说吧。
Zhè jiàn shì tài fùzá le, wǒmen zàishuō ba.
This matter is too complicated; let's talk about it later.
Word breakdown:
这件事zhè jiàn shìthis matterphrase
太tàitooadverb
复杂fùzácomplicatedadjective
了lecompleted changeparticle
我们wǒmenwepronoun
再说zàishuōtalk again/laterverb
吧basuggestion particleparticle
Usage Pattern for "Let's Talk Later":
- Often ends sentences
- Usually with 吧 (ba) suggestion particle
- Used to postpone decisions
- Can be standalone response
A: 你觉得我们应该买哪辆车？ B: 再说吧，我还没想好。
A: Nǐ juéde wǒmen yīnggāi mǎi nǎ liàng chē? B: Zàishuō ba, wǒ hái méi xiǎng hǎo.
A: Which car do you think we should buy? B: Let's talk about it later, I haven't decided yet.
Word breakdown:
再说zàishuōlet's talk laterverb phrase
吧basuggestionparticle
我wǒIpronoun
还háistilladverb
没méihaven'tverb
想好xiǎng hǎothought throughverb phrase
Meaning 3: Speak Again (literal)
我们明天再说这个话题。
Wǒmen míngtiān zài shuō zhège huàtí.
We'll talk about this topic again tomorrow.
Word breakdown:
我们wǒmenwepronoun
明天míngtiāntomorrownoun
再zàiagainadverb
说shuōspeak/talkverb
这个zhègethisdemonstrative
话题huàtítopicnoun
Distinguishing the Meanings
再说 Context Clues
| Word | Reading | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 再说 (besides) | zàishuō | mid-sentence, adds reasons | HSK 4 |
| 再说吧 (postpone) | zàishuō ba | end of sentence, with 吧 | HSK 4 |
| 再说 (speak again) | zài shuō | often written as two words | HSK 4 |
3 words
Context Examples: "Besides"
我今天不想出门，再说外面还下雨呢。
Wǒ jīntiān bù xiǎng chū mén, zàishuō wàimiàn hái xià yǔ ne.
I don't want to go out today, and besides, it's still raining outside.
Word breakdown:
我wǒIpronoun
今天jīntiāntodaynoun
不想bù xiǎngdon't wantverb
出门chū méngo outverb
再说zàishuōbesidesconjunction
外面wàimiànoutsidenoun
还háistilladverb
下雨xià yǔrainingverb
呢neemphasis particleparticle
Context Examples: "Let's Talk Later"
这个计划还有很多问题，我们再说。
Zhège jìhuà hái yǒu hěn duō wèntí, wǒmen zàishuō.
This plan still has many problems; let's discuss it later.
Word breakdown:
这个zhègethisdemonstrative
计划jìhuàplannoun
还háistilladverb
有yǒuhaveverb
很多hěn duōmanyadjective
问题wèntíproblemsnoun
我们wǒmenwepronoun
再说zàishuōtalk laterverb phrase
Common Sentence Patterns
Pattern 1: Besides (reasoning)
Structure: Main point，再说 + additional point
我不买这件衣服，再说颜色我也不喜欢。
Wǒ bù mǎi zhè jiàn yīfu, zàishuō yánsè wǒ yě bù xǐhuan.
I won't buy this clothes, and besides, I don't like the color either.
Pattern 2: Postponement
Structure: 再说 + 吧/再说/let's table this
今天太晚了，这事儿我们改天再说。
Jīntiān tài wǎn le, zhè shì'er wǒmen gǎitiān zàishuō.
It's too late today; let's talk about this matter another day.
Practice Exercises
Identify the Meaning of 再说
1 of 4
我不想去看电影，再说我今天很累。
Real-World Usage
再说 (besides) appears in:
- Explaining multiple reasons
- Persuasive arguments
- Casual conversations
- Decision-making discussions
再说 (postpone) appears in:
- Business meetings
- Family discussions
- Complex decisions
- When avoiding commitment
Common Mistakes to Avoid
-
Using 再说 (besides) at sentence beginning
- ✅ 我不去，再说太远了
- ❌ 再说我不去，太远了
-
Forgetting 吧 with postponement meaning
- Natural: 再说吧
- Less natural: 再说 (alone)
-
Confusing with 而且 (furthermore)
- 再说: more casual, often with personal reasons
- 而且: more formal, objective additional points
Similar Expressions
- 而且 (érqiě) - furthermore (more formal)
- 另外 (lìngwài) - in addition (separate point)
- 还有 (hái yǒu) - also/there's also
Summary
再说 meaning depends on context:
- Besides - mid-sentence conjunction adding reasons
- Let's talk later - postponing decisions (often with 吧)
- Speak again - literal meaning with time references
Pay attention to sentence position and surrounding particles to determine the correct meaning.
Master Chinese Conjunctions
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