都
dōu
All, both
How to say “it’s already” in Chinese with 都 (dōu) + time
都 (dōu) + Time + 了 (le)
都 (dōu) + time — already
HSK 2Adverbs
都 (dōu) + Time + 了 (le)
HSK 2Adverbs都 (dōu) + time — already
Rule structure
都 (dōu) with a time expression and 了 (le) emphasizes that a situation has already arrived or that the time is later than expected. It often carries a tone of surprise, complaint, or reminder.
Rule structure
都 (dōu) with a time expression and 了 (le) emphasizes that a situation has already arrived or that the time is later than expected. It often carries a tone of surprise, complaint, or reminder.
Examples
都十二点了！
Dōu shí'èr diǎn le!
It's already twelve o'clock!
都八岁了。
Dōu bāsuì le.
It's already eight years old.
都三点了。
Dōu sāndiǎn le.
It's already three o'clock.
Examples
都十二点了！
Dōu shí'èr diǎn le!
It's already twelve o'clock!
都八岁了。
Dōu bāsuì le.
It's already eight years old.
都三点了。
Dōu sāndiǎn le.
It's already three o'clock.
Practice
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Frequently asked questions
How do you say “already” in Chinese with 都 + time?
Use the structure: 都 (dōu) + Time + 了 (le). For example: 都十二点了！ — “It's already twelve o'clock!”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
都十二点了！ — “It's already twelve o'clock!”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 2.
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More HSK 2 grammar rules
就是 — emphasis with “just”
就是 (jiùshì) + Verb
就 — then
就 (jiù) + Verb Phrase
还 — still
Subj. + 还 (hái) + Verb Phrase / Adj.
再 — again in the future
再 (zài) + Verb
就要 — about to happen
(还有 (háiyǒu) + Time Period) + 就要 (jiùyào) + Verb Phrase + 了 (le)
就 — early action
Subj. + Time + 就 (jiù) + Verb + 了 (le)
还 — and also
还 (hái) + Verb
别 — negative commands
别 (bié) + Verb