Translation guide
The English word 'another' is used in several distinct ways: to mean 'one more' or 'an additional' thing/person, to mean 'a different' thing/person, and in expressions like 'one another'. Japanese expresses these ideas with different words and patterns depending on the context.
Expressing that you want or have one more of something, or that something additional exists.
Literally 'one more thing'. Used for countable objects. Can be used with counters for specific items.
もう一つください。
Another one, please.
もう一つ質問があります。
I have another question.
Use もう (more) with the appropriate counter word to mean 'another X'. For example, もう一人 (もうひとり) for people, もう一杯 (もういっぱい) for drinks.
もう一人来ます。
Another person is coming.
もう一杯いかがですか。
How about another drink?
Means 'another' in the sense of 'a different one', but can also be used for 'an additional one' in some contexts. Less common for pure addition.
別のコーヒーをください。
Another coffee, please. (implying a different kind or just one more)
Expressing that you want or refer to a different thing or person, not the same one.
The most common way to say 'another' meaning 'a different one'. Used before nouns.
別の日にしましょう。
Let's do it another day.
別の方法を考えましょう。
Let's think of another way.
Means 'other' or 'another'. Slightly more formal than 別の. Often interchangeable.
他の店に行きましょう。
Let's go to another store.
Means 'different' or 'wrong'. Can be used as 'another' in casual speech, e.g., 違うの (a different one).
違うのをください。
Give me another one. (casual)
Expressing mutual action or relationship between two or more people.
Adverb meaning 'mutually' or 'each other'. Often used with verbs.
お互いに助け合いましょう。
Let's help one another.
Verb suffix meaning 'do mutually'. Attach to the stem of a verb. E.g., 助け合う (help each other), 話し合う (discuss/talk with each other).
私たちはよく話し合います。
We often talk with one another.
Referring to an unspecified future occasion.
Common phrase meaning 'another time' or 'next time'. Used when postponing something.
また今度会いましょう。
Let's meet another time.
More formal way to say 'on another occasion'.
別の機会に話しましょう。
Let's talk another time.
The English word 'another' is sometimes borrowed as アナザー in Japanese, but it's only used in specific contexts like titles or creative works. It is not used in everyday conversation.