If you’re learning Spanish, you will need the word again constantly. Whether you're asking someone to repeat something, fixing a mistake, expressing frustration, greeting someone you’ve already seen, or trying something one more time, Spanish offers several natural ways to express repetition.
The English again has many translations in Spanish, and choosing the right one can make your Spanish sound much more fluent and natural. This guide explains all the different ways to say again, when to use each one, and how to sound like a real Spanish speaker.
Let’s dive in. 🔥
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⭐ What is the Spanish word for again?
The most common and natural translation is:
🙂 otra vez
➡️ ‘again’
You can use it in almost any situation.
🙂 ¿Puedes decirlo otra vez?
➡️ ‘Can you say it again?’
It’s friendly, informal and extremely common.
🔄 Does otra vez mean again?
Absolutely.
Otra vez literally means ‘another time’, but in everyday Spanish it means simply again.
🙂 Lo intenté otra vez.
➡️ ‘I tried again.’
Because it’s versatile, it works in questions, commands, explanations, complaints… almost everything.
🌀 Other ways to say again in Spanish (and when to use them)
Spanish gives you several options, each with a slightly different meaning. Here are the essential ones:
✨ de nuevo — again / once again
Useful in formal, written or neutral contexts.
😌 Voy a hacerlo de nuevo.
➡️ ‘I’m going to do it again.’
This option sounds clean and precise.
🔁 volver a + infinitivo — to do something again
One of the most common structures in Spain.
😅 Tengo que volver a empezar.
➡️ ‘I have to start again.’
It literally means ‘to return to doing something’.
🔊 repetir — to repeat
Used especially when asking someone to say or explain something again.
🧐 ¿Puedes repetir eso?
➡️ ‘Can you repeat that?’
🌟 una vez más — once again
More polished, often used when emphasising patience, explanation or clarity.
🙂 Lo explico una vez más.
➡️ ‘I’ll explain it once again.’
🔂 una y otra vez — again and again
Used for repetition or insistence.
😫 Lo intentó una y otra vez.
➡️ ‘He tried again and again.’
This expression often conveys frustration or persistence.
👋 Hello again in Spanish
The friendliest and most natural translation is:
🙂 ¡Hola de nuevo!
➡️ ‘Hello again!’
You may also say:
🙂 ¡Hola otra vez!
➡️ ‘Hello again!’
Both are correct, but hola de nuevo is more common in greetings.
🔁 Do it again in Spanish
Here are the three most natural options:
🙂 Hazlo otra vez.
🙂 Hazlo de nuevo.
🙂 Vuelve a hacerlo.
The last one (volver a) is extremely common in Spain and sounds very natural.
Example:
😅 Lo hice mal. Necesito volver a hacerlo.
➡️ ‘I did it wrong. I need to do it again.’
🔂 Once again in Spanish
The clearest equivalent is:
🌟 una vez más
➡️ ‘once again’
You can also use:
✨ de nuevo
➡️ ‘once again’
🔂 Again and again in Spanish
When you want to express repetition or annoyance, use:
🔂 una y otra vez
➡️ ‘again and again’
Example:
😤 He tenido que decirlo una y otra vez.
➡️ ‘I’ve had to say it again and again.’
🧩 Quick guide: which one should I use?
Here’s a simple reference to choose the best option:
🙂 otra vez
Use it in everyday conversation. Neutral, friendly, flexible.
✨ de nuevo
More formal or neutral. Great in writing.
🔁 volver a + infinitivo
Very natural in Spain. Perfect for repeated actions.
🔊 repetir
Used when asking someone to say or do something once more.
🌟 una vez más
Elegant or emphatic.
🔂 una y otra vez
Repeatedly / insistently / annoyingly.
🗣️ Real examples in context
🙂 ¿Puedes explicarlo otra vez?
➡️ ‘Can you explain it again?’
😌 Voy a intentarlo de nuevo.
➡️ ‘I’ll try again.’
🔁 Tenemos que volver a empezar.
➡️ ‘We have to start again.’
🔊 Perdón, ¿me lo puedes repetir?
➡️ ‘Sorry, can you repeat it?’
🔂 Lo leí una y otra vez.
➡️ ‘I read it again and again.’
🧑🏫 Common mistakes made by learners
These are some common errors that learners tend to make when using the word again in Spanish:
❌ volver otra vez a hacer algo → Redundant; just say volver a hacer algo.
❌ Confusing de nuevo with otra vez → De nuevo is more formal, while otra vez is more casual and common in conversation.
❌ Using repetir too much → Repetir should be used when asking someone to repeat something specific.
❌ Saying una y otra ves instead of una y otra vez → Remember: 'vez' not 'ves'.
🌍 Regional differences and colloquial uses of again in Spanish
Spanish varies across countries, so it's useful to learn regional variations for again:
🇪🇸 Spain:
🔁 otra vez
🔁 de nuevo
🎒 In class: ¿Puedes repetirlo? (Could you repeat)
🇲🇽 Mexico:
🔁 otra vez
🇲🇽 Very common: la vuelvo a hacer (I do it again)
🇦🇷 Argentina:
🔁 de nuevo
🇦🇷 lo hago de vuelta (I do it again)
Learning these variations helps you sound more native and culturally aware!
🧑🏫 What do I say according to my level?
Here’s a guide to which expression is most suitable for your level:
A1 → otra vez, repetir
At this level, you’ll be using basic words to ask someone to repeat or explain something.
A2 → de nuevo, volver a + infinitivo
As you progress, you’ll learn how to talk about repeating actions with a bit more formality.
B1 → una vez más, una y otra vez
At this level, you’ll use more complex structures, like talking about repetition with more emphasis or frustration.
Mini historia (Storytelling)
En español 🇪🇸:
😅 Sara siempre olvida las llaves de casa. Un día, mientras estaba lista para salir, se dio cuenta de que no las encontraba. Otra vez había dejado las llaves en la mesa de la cocina. Como ya no podía entrar, de nuevo tuvo que llamar a su vecina.
La vecina, aunque algo molesta, le prestó las llaves. Después de unos minutos, Sara volvió a la casa y, cuando llegó, encontró la puerta cerrada. Al intentar abrirla, se dio cuenta de que las llaves que tenía no eran las correctas. Una vez más se había confundido y no pudo entrar.
Sara no podía creerlo. Esta situación parecía repetirse una y otra vez: siempre que más lo necesitaba, se olvidaba las llaves. ¡Qué frustración!
Translation in English 🇬🇧:
😅 Sara always forgets the keys to her house. One day, while she was ready to leave, she realized she couldn't find them. Once again, she had left the keys on the kitchen table. Since she couldn't enter, she had to call her neighbor again.
Her neighbor, although somewhat annoyed, lent her the keys. After a few minutes, Sara went back to the house, and when she arrived, she found the door closed. When she tried to open it, she realized the keys she had weren’t the correct ones. Once more, she was mistaken and couldn’t get in.
Sara couldn't believe it. This situation seemed to repeat again and again: whenever she needed the keys the most, she forgot them. What frustration!
💬 Practical Dialogue: Using these structures in everyday situations
👩🦰 Ana:
😅 Carlos, ¿otra vez llegamos tarde al cine?
➡️ Carlos, are we late again for the cinema?
👨🦱 Carlos:
😬 Sí, de nuevo llegamos tarde y me olvidé de comprar las entradas.
➡️ Yes, once again, we’re late, and I forgot to buy the tickets.
👩🦰 Ana:
😤 ¡Esto pasa una y otra vez!
➡️ This happens again and again!
👨🦱 Carlos:
😆 Te dije que repetiríamos lo que hicimos la vez pasada y compraríamos las entradas antes, pero lo dejamos para el último minuto.
➡️ I told you we’d repeat what we did last time and buy the tickets earlier, but we left it until the last minute.
👩🦰 Ana:
😓 Lo sé, la próxima vez volveré a comprar las entradas con tiempo.
➡️ I know, next time I’ll do it again and buy the tickets on time.
👨🦱 Carlos:
😌 Ojalá. Vamos a comprar las entradas de nuevo ahora mismo y no vamos a dejarlo para después.
➡️ I hope so. Let’s buy the tickets again right now and not leave it for later.
👩🦰 Ana:
😅 Sí, una vez más no vamos a cometer el mismo error.
➡️ Yes, once again, we’re not going to make the same mistake.
🎯 Practise what you’ve learned!
Test your knowledge with this short multiple-choice quiz 👇
Keep learning Spanish:
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💬 Your turn!
💬 After reading all about the different ways to say again in Spanish, which expression do you find most useful in your daily life?
Share your thoughts below!
