These four adverbs show up constantly in N5 exams and everyday conversation. また and まだ are especially tricky -- they differ by just one dakuten but mean completely different things.
また: Again, Once More
Indicates doing something again -- the action happened before, and you want to repeat it.
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| また食べます。 | I'll eat again. |
| また行きたいです。 | I want to go again. |
| また来てください。 | Please come again. |
| 旅行はとても楽しかったです。また行きたいです。 | The trip was great. I want to go again. |
Core feeling: once more, again.
まだ: Not Yet, Still
Indicates something hasn't happened yet or isn't done yet. Usually paired with ていません or negative forms.
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| まだです。 | Not yet. |
| まだご飯を食べていません。 | I haven't eaten yet. |
| まだ書いていません。 | I haven't written it yet. |
| ご飯は？——まだです。 | Have you eaten? -- Not yet. |
Core feeling: not yet, still haven't.
また vs まだ Quick Reference
| また | まだ | |
|---|---|---|
| Kana | また | まだ |
| Difference | た (unvoiced) | だ (voiced, has dakuten) |
| Meaning | Again, once more | Not yet, still |
| Pairs with | Affirmative sentences | ていません, negatives |
| Example | また来てください | まだ食べていません |
Memory trick: まだ has dakuten (two dots) -- like two teardrops because it's "not done yet."
すぐ: Right Away, Immediately
Expresses urgency or immediacy.
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| すぐ帰ります。 | I'll go home right away. |
| すぐわかります。 | You'll understand immediately. |
| すぐ来てください。 | Please come right away. |
| 家は銀行の前です。すぐわかります。 | My house is in front of the bank. You'll find it right away. |
Core feeling: immediately, right away.
もう少し: A Little More
Expresses wanting a bit more of something or urging a little extra effort.
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| もう少しお願いします。 | A little more, please. |
| もう少し頑張ってください。 | Please try a little harder. |
| ビールをもう少し飲みたいです。 | I want to drink a little more beer. |
Core feeling: a bit more, a little extra.
Bonus: あとで (Later, Afterward)
Often appears alongside these four:
| Example | Meaning |
|---|---|
| あとでまた連絡します。 | I'll contact you again later. |
| あとで電話をかけてください。 | Please call me later. |
あとで = later, afterward. Slower than すぐ, sooner than "tomorrow."
Fill-in-the-Blank Practice
| Sentence | Answer |
|---|---|
| ビールを＿＿飲みたいです。 | もう少し |
| 旅行は楽しかったです。＿＿行きたいです。 | また |
| もう九時ですよ。＿＿来てください。 | すぐ |
| 今忙しいです。＿＿電話をかけてください。 | あとで |
| ご飯は？——＿＿です。 | まだ |
Wrap-Up
- また = again, once more
- まだ = not yet (pairs with ていません)
- すぐ = right away, immediately
- もう少し = a little more
- あとで = later, afterward
Practice
Q1. What's the difference between "また来てください" and "すぐ来てください"?
Answer
- また来てください = Please come again. (Welcoming someone to return next time.)
- すぐ来てください = Please come right now. (Urgent, come immediately.)
Q2. What does "まだ食べていません" mean?
Answer
I haven't eaten yet.
まだ (not yet) + 食べていません (haven't eaten).
Q3. Fill in the blank: "旅行はとても楽しかったです。＿＿行きたいです。"
Answer
また.
The trip was great. I want to go again. また = once more.