Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
How to Say Again in Spanish: Otra Vez
Otra vez · adverb / phrase · OH-trah behs
Otra vez literally means another time and is the most widely used way to express again in Spanish. Alternatives like de nuevo and the verbal construction volver a + infinitive offer stylistic variety.
OH-trah behs
¿Puedes repetirlo otra vez?
Can you repeat it again?
Again in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for again, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| otra vez | again | OH-trah behs | Default, widely understood |
| de nuevo | again | universal (again, anew) | |
| nuevamente | again | universal (formal) | |
| volver a + infinitive | again | universal (to do something again) |
How Native Speakers Use Otra vez
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Asking for repetition
No entendí, ¿puedes decirlo otra vez?
I didn't understand, can you say it again?
A polite request to hear something repeated.
Expressing frustration
¡De nuevo se fue la luz!
The power went out again!
Using de nuevo to emphasize that something unwelcome has happened once more.
Volver a construction
Volvió a llover justo cuando salimos.
It rained again right when we went out.
Volver a + infinitive embeds the idea of again directly into the verb phrase.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Otra vez
Using otra without vez
Incorrect: Hazlo otra.
Correct: Hazlo otra vez.
Otra alone means another and needs vez (time) to form the adverbial phrase meaning again.
Word-for-word translation of again
Incorrect: Él fue again a la tienda.
Correct: Él fue otra vez a la tienda. / Volvió a ir a la tienda.
There is no single Spanish word that maps directly to again the way English uses it. Choose otra vez, de nuevo, or volver a depending on the sentence.
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Common Questions About Again in Spanish
- Is there a difference between otra vez and de nuevo?
- They are largely interchangeable in everyday speech. Otra vez can carry a slightly more emphatic or exasperated tone, while de nuevo sometimes sounds a bit more neutral or fresh, but native speakers swap them freely.
- When should I use volver a + infinitive?
- Use volver a when you want to say someone did something again with a specific verb. For instance, volvió a llamar means he called again. It wraps the repetition neatly around the action.
- Is nuevamente too formal for conversation?
- Nuevamente is perfectly correct but leans toward written or formal Spanish. In casual conversation, otra vez or de nuevo will always sound more natural.