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Use 另一个 to pick out a different item or person from the one you are already talking about.
Imagine you’re in a shop and the assistant hands you a mug. You want to see another one. Later, at a café, you finish your coffee and want another one. The English phrase is the same, but the requests are different. In the shop, you can say 另一个 (lìng yí ge). At the café, 再来一杯 (zài lái yì bēi) is the natural choice.
How to use 另一个 (lìng yí ge)
Say 另一个 on its own when the listener knows what you mean. For example, if the shop assistant has just shown you a mug, you can ask:
我可以看看另一个吗？
Wǒ kěyǐ kànkan lìng yí ge ma?
Can I see the other one?
With two mugs in front of you, 另一个 means “the other one”. If the assistant has only shown you one and there are more to choose from, the same question can mean “Can I see another one?” The situation tells you which English translation fits.
When you name the thing, the pattern is 另 + 一 + measure word + noun. Use 个 (ge) with words that normally take 个, as in 另一个杯子 (lìng yí ge bēizi), “another mug”. With books, use 本 (běn), just as you would when saying “one book”: 另一本书 (lìng yì běn shū), “another book”.
To talk about two things side by side, use 一个……，另一个…… (“one …, the other …”):
一个是红色的，另一个是蓝色的。
Yí ge shì hóngsè de, lìng yí ge shì lánsè de.
One is red and the other is blue.
一 is yī on its own. In everyday speech, it sounds like yí in 另一个 and yì in 另一本书. Listen for the change when you say the two phrases aloud.
另一个 vs 再来一个 vs 别的
另一个 helps you point to a different item. It can still be the same kind of thing: the blue mug might be the same model as the red one. If you’re looking for any other options, 还有别的吗？ (Hái yǒu bié de ma?) means “Do you have anything else?” You’re leaving the choice open.
When you want one more, try 再来一个 (zài lái yí ge). Change the measure word to suit the order. If you’ve finished your coffee and want another cup, say:
请再来一杯咖啡。
Qǐng zài lái yì bēi kāfēi.
Another cup of coffee, please.
Here, 再 (zài) tells the server you’re adding another cup to the order. If you’d like to try a different kind of coffee, you can ask 还有别的吗？ after the server suggests one.
Useful Chinese Words and Phrases
- 另一个another one; the other one
- 另一本书another book; the other book
- 再来一个one more, please
- 还有别的吗？Do you have anything else?
A Short Everyday Conversation
You’re looking at two mugs in a shop. The assistant holds up the red one.
Shop assistant: 你喜欢这个吗？
Nǐ xǐhuan zhè ge ma?
Do you like this one?
Customer: 我可以看看另一个吗？
Wǒ kěyǐ kànkan lìng yí ge ma?
Can I see the other one?
Shop assistant: 可以，蓝色的这个。
Kěyǐ, lánsè de zhè ge.
Of course. Here’s the blue one.
Final takeaway: When you’re choosing a different one, say 另一个. When you’re asking for one more, say 再来一个, and swap 个 for the measure word that fits.