An Analysis Of Zai(再) Used Before Adjectives

Studies on 'zai' before verbs in modern Chinese have gained quite a lot of achievements while studies on 'zai' before adjectives are quite rare up to now. The semantic summarizations of 'zai' before adjectives in existing reference books are incomprehensive, and articles concerning the contrastive study of 'zai' and 'geng' before adjectives are not available at present.This thesis, after careful study, puts forward the following viewpoints.Firstly, 'zai' before adjectives actually bears three semantic meanings, i.e. repetition of the state, continuance of the state and intensification of the degree, which is different from the explanation in the reference books.Secondly, in the aforementioned three semantic meanings, repetition of the state is the basis, from which continuance of the state and intensification of the degree derive.Thirdly, 'zai' constructions expressing intensification of the degree are generally to narrate matters not realized. 'Zai' expressing intensification of the degree presents itself in several typical constructions and sentences. There are two means to control the state and property of the adjectives: 'zai + adjectives' and 'zai + adjectives + numerals'.Lastly, the thesis contrasts 'zai' constructions and 'geng' constructions and discusses some correlative questions. It also points out that the use of 'geng' constructions is broader than that of 'zai' constructions and 'geng', generally, can be substituted by 'zai' only except for three exceptions.