How to use 都 (dōu) for “already” and “all” in Chinese
Subj. + 都 (dōu) + Predicate
Advanced uses of "都 (dōu)"
Subj. + 都 (dōu) + Predicate
HSK 5AdverbsAdvanced uses of "都 (dōu)"
Rule structure
都 (dōu) can emphasize "already" (with time) or "even" (with 连 (lián)). In advanced use, it highlights extremity or impatience.
Rule structure
都 (dōu) can emphasize "already" (with time) or "even" (with 连 (lián)). In advanced use, it highlights extremity or impatience.
Examples
都十二点了，他还不睡。
Dōu shí'èr diǎn le, tā hái bù shuì.
It’s already twelve o’clock, and he still hasn’t gone to bed.
Examples
都十二点了，他还不睡。
Dōu shí'èr diǎn le, tā hái bù shuì.
It’s already twelve o’clock, and he still hasn’t gone to bed.
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Frequently asked questions
How do you express “Advanced uses of "都 (dōu)"” in Chinese?
Use the structure: Subj. + 都 (dōu) + Predicate. For example: 都十二点了，他还不睡。 — “It’s already twelve o’clock, and he still hasn’t gone to bed.”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
都十二点了，他还不睡。 — “It’s already twelve o’clock, and he still hasn’t gone to bed.”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 5.
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More HSK 5 grammar rules
Continuing state with "还 (hái)…呢 (ne)"
Subj. + 还 (hái) + Predicate + 呢 (ne)
Expressing "just" do it with "干脆 (gāncuì)"
干脆 (gāncuì) + Verb Phrase
Expressing "never again" with "再也不 (zài yě bù)"
Subj. + 再也 (zài yě) + 不 (bù) + Verb Phrase + 了 (le)
Expressing a last chance with "再不 (zài bù) … 就 (jiù) …"
Subj. + 再不 (zài bù) + Verb Phrase, 就 (jiù) + result
Expressing difficulty with "好不容易 (hǎo bù róngyì)" / "好容易 (hǎo róngyì)"
好不容易 (hǎo bù róngyì) / 好容易 (hǎo róngyì) + 才 (cái) + Verb Phrase
Advanced uses of "总 (zǒng)"
总 (zǒng) + Verb Phrase
Expressing wasted efforts with "白 (bái)"
白 (bái) + Verb Phrase
Expressing "after all" with "毕竟 (bìjìng)"
毕竟 (bìjìng) + Clause