都
dōu
All, both
都不 (dū bù)/没 (méi) — negating even an attempt
Subj. + Verb + 都 (dōu) + 不 (bù) / 没 (méi) + Verb
HSK 7–93.0
Pattern diagram
Who / whatAction都不没Action
Rule structure
Repeating the verb in V都不 (dū bù)V / V都没 (dū méi)V emphasizes “not even…”. 都不 (dū bù) often conveys refusal, unwillingness or disregard for an action; 都没 (dū méi) says that the action did not occur. This is not a strict present-versus-past distinction: the choice depends on the meaning of the negation and context. The same verb occupies both positions.
Rule structure
Repeating the verb in V都不 (dū bù)V / V都没 (dū méi)V emphasizes “not even…”. 都不 (dū bù) often conveys refusal, unwillingness or disregard for an action; 都没 (dū méi) says that the action did not occur. This is not a strict present-versus-past distinction: the choice depends on the meaning of the negation and context. The same verb occupies both positions.
Examples
他看都不看就说不喜欢。
Tā kàn dōu bú kàn jiù shuō bù xǐhuan.
He didn't even take a look and just said he didn't like it.
Examples
他看都不看就说不喜欢。
Tā kàn dōu bú kàn jiù shuō bù xǐhuan.
He didn't even take a look and just said he didn't like it.
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Words from this rule
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “negating even an attempt” in Chinese with 都不/没?
Use the structure: Subj. + Verb + 都 (dōu) + 不 (bù) / 没 (méi) + Verb. For example: 他看都不看就说不喜欢。 — “He didn't even take a look and just said he didn't like it”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
他看都不看就说不喜欢。 — “He didn't even take a look and just said he didn't like it”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.0 Levels 7–9.
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More HSK 3.0 Levels 7–9 grammar rules
动不动 就 — at the slightest thing, just
Subj. + 动不动 (dòngbudòng) 就 (jiù) + Verb
仅次于 — second only to
Subj. + 仅次于 (jǐn cì yú) + X
个 — casual small action
Verb + 个 (ge) + Noun
除外 — except for, excluding
Noun + 除外 (chúwài)
不亚于 — no worse than
Subject + 不亚于 (bú yà yú) + Noun
可不 — enthusiastic agreement
可不 (kě bu) / 可不是嘛 (kě bú shì ma) — a standalone confirming reply
说到哪儿去了 — polite reply to praise
说到哪儿去了 (shuō dào nǎr qù le) — a standalone polite reply
非 — neither A nor B
非 (fēi) + Noun/Adj. A + 非 (fēi) + Noun/Adj. B