# lại meaning in Vietnamese: again (A1)

> lại means “again, re-” in Vietnamese. It can also mean instead, come over, moreover, back. Examples with audio, in Northern and Southern wording.

Source: https://vietnamesebuddy.com/words/lai-again/ · Updated 2026-10-18

**lại**: again · instead · come over · moreover · back

Level: A1 (our estimate)

Typed without accents: lai

## 1. again (adverb)

again, re-

After the verb: *nói lại*, say it again; *làm lại*, redo.

- Em phải làm lại bài này. — I have to redo this exercise.
- Mai mình gặp lại nha. — See you again tomorrow.

Level: A2

Grammar: [Again: verb + lại](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/lai-again/)

## 2. instead (adverb)

again (to your annoyance), instead, and yet

Before the verb, with a feeling: something unwanted happens again, or someone does the opposite of what you'd expect.

- Saigon: Ảnh lại tới trễ. | Hà Nội: Anh ấy lại đến muộn. — He's late again.
- Em thích trà, còn chồng em lại thích cà phê. — I like tea, but my husband prefers coffee.

Level: A2

Grammar: [Again (annoyingly), unexpectedly: lại before the verb](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/lai-before-verb/)

## 3. come over (verb)

to come over, to come (here)

Movement toward the speaker: *Lại đây!* Come here!

- Saigon: Em lại đây chút. | Hà Nội: Em lại đây một tí. — Come over here a sec.
- Chị lại ngồi đây nè. — Come and sit here.

Level: A1

## 4. moreover (adverb)

what's more, also, on top of that

Before a second point of the same kind: *rẻ mà lại ngon*, cheap and tasty too.

- Quán này rẻ mà lại ngon. — This place is cheap and tasty too.
- Saigon: Trời nóng, lại kẹt xe nữa. | Hà Nội: Trời nóng, lại tắc đường nữa. — It's hot, and on top of that there's a traffic jam.

Level: A2

## 5. back (adverb)

back, shut, up

After verbs like *trả* (give back), *đóng* (close) and *dừng* (stop); with an object it usually comes last: *đóng cửa lại*.

- Em trả lại tiền cho chị. — I'll give you the money back.
- Dừng lại! — Stop!

Level: A2

Grammar: [Back, together, shut: trả lại, đóng lại](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/lai-back-shut/)

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