How to contrast “already” and “still” with 都 (dōu) and 还 (hái)
Subj. + 都 (dōu) + Predicate
都 (dōu)…还 (hái) — already, and still
Subj. + 都 (dōu) + Predicate
HSK 5Adverbs都 (dōu)…还 (hái) — already, and still
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 say “already, and still” in Chinese with 都…还?
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
还…呢 — still in progress
Subj. + 还 (hái) + Predicate + 呢 (ne)
干脆 — just do it
干脆 (gāncuì) + Verb Phrase
再也不 — never again
Subj. + 再也 (zài yě) + 不 (bù) + Verb Phrase + 了 (le)
再不 — last chance with “if not… then…”
Subj. + 再不 (zài bù) + Verb Phrase, 就 (jiù) + result
好不容易 — difficulty, “finally”
好不容易 (hǎo bù róngyì) / 好容易 (hǎo róngyì) + 才 (cái) + Verb Phrase
总 — always, all the time
总 (zǒng) + Verb Phrase
白 — wasted effort
白 (bái) + Verb Phrase
毕竟 — after all
毕竟 (bìjìng) + Clause