Translation and Meaning of: 又 - mata

The Japanese word 「又」, read as "mata" in romaji, has a significant presence in the Japanese language, both in writing and in speech. In its kanji form, 「又」 represents the concept of "again" or "besides." This ideogram has a simple meaning on its own, but when combined in expressions, it can acquire varied nuances and meanings. The kanji consists of a single stroke shaped like a hand, symbolizing repetition or something that continues.

In addition to its use as kanji, the expression "mata" is also commonly used in hiragana as 「また」. In this form, it is widely employed in daily conversations to indicate that something will happen again or to add an idea of continuity in relation to what was said previously. This versatility allows "mata" to be used in various situations, providing flexibility to communication in Japanese.

Use and Variations in Context

• In the structure of a sentence, 「また」 can be used to connect two ideas or events, indicating that an action or situation will repeat.
• In social contexts, it is common to hear "mata" as a kind of farewell, suggesting that people will see each other again, like in "mata ne" (see you later).
• In the business environment, "mata" can be used to indicate an intention to continue a negotiation or collaboration at some point in the future.

On the other hand, throughout the history of Japanese writing, the use of the kanji 「又」 has become less frequent for representing complex ideas, while its hiragana form has prevailed in modern Japanese in common and simple expressions. The simplicity and clarity of 「また」 make this word indispensable for those learning Japanese and looking to enhance their fluency in the language.

Vocabulary

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Synonyms and similar words

• また (mata) - also
• または (mata wa) - Please provide the text you'd like me to translate.
• または、再び (mata wa, futatabi) - you, again

又

Romaji: mata
Kana: また
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3, jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: again and

Meaning in English: again;and

Definition: Again, one more time.