Difference between revisions of "Emphasizing quantity with "dou""
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* 老师 <strong>每天</strong> <em>都</em> 迟到。 <span class="pinyin"> Lǎoshī <strong>měi tiān </strong> <em>dōu</em> chídào. </span><span class="trans"> The teacher comes late every day. </span> | * 老师 <strong>每天</strong> <em>都</em> 迟到。 <span class="pinyin"> Lǎoshī <strong>měi tiān </strong> <em>dōu</em> chídào. </span><span class="trans"> The teacher comes late every day. </span> | ||
* 她 <strong>每天</strong> <em>都</em> 不 吃 早饭。 <span class="pinyin">Tā <strong>měi tiān</strong> <em>dōu</em> bù chī zǎofàn. </span><span class="trans">Every day, she eats no breakfast. </span> | * 她 <strong>每天</strong> <em>都</em> 不 吃 早饭。 <span class="pinyin">Tā <strong>měi tiān</strong> <em>dōu</em> bù chī zǎofàn. </span><span class="trans">Every day, she eats no breakfast. </span> | ||
− | * 我 女朋友 <strong>每天</strong> <em>都</em> 上 淘宝 。 <span class="expl">''Taobao'' is China's biggest online shopping website | + | * 我 女朋友 <strong>每天</strong> <em>都</em> 上 淘宝 。 <span class="expl">''Taobao'' is China's biggest online shopping website</span><span class="pinyin">Wǒ nǚpéngyou <strong>měi tiān</strong> <em>dōu</em> shàng Táobǎo. </span><span class="trans">My girlfriend goes on ''Taobao'' every day. </span> |
* 妈妈 <strong>每天</strong> <em>都</em> 给 我们 做 晚饭。 <span class="pinyin">Māma <strong>měi tiān</strong> <em>dōu</em> gěi wǒmen zuò wǎnfàn. </span><span class="trans">Mom cooks dinner for us every day. </span> | * 妈妈 <strong>每天</strong> <em>都</em> 给 我们 做 晚饭。 <span class="pinyin">Māma <strong>měi tiān</strong> <em>dōu</em> gěi wǒmen zuò wǎnfàn. </span><span class="trans">Mom cooks dinner for us every day. </span> | ||
Revision as of 14:26, 17 February 2016
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都 (dōu) is one of those characters that on the surface may seem simple, but actually has many different subtle uses. In this article, we will look at using 都 (dōu) to emphasize quantity.
Contents
Structure
You can use 都 (dōu) to emphasis the large quantity of something, particularly a group of people. The subject should be some sort of large group (like a majority of people or things), e.g. "很多人 (hěnduō rén)" or "大家 (dàjiā)."
Subj. + 都 + Verb + Obj.
Examples with 很多
First let's look at some typical examples using 很多 (hěnduō) to emphasize that it's "a lot." Note that in English, it would be totally redundant and unnecessary to add "all" into these sentences, but in Chinese it's totally natural (and kind of weird not to). Eventually it will become more natural.
- 很 多 地方 都 有 WiFi。A lot of places have WiFi.
- 我 的 很 多 朋友 都 有 车。A lot of my friends have cars.
- 很 多 美国人 都 喜欢 喝 咖啡 。 A lot of Americans like drinking coffee.
- 很 多 小孩 都 不 喜欢 上学。A lot of kids don't like to go to school.
- 很 多 女孩 都 想 找 有钱 的 男朋友。A lot of girls want to find a rich boyfriend.
Examples with 大家
Now let's look at some examples using 大家 (dàjiā) or "everyone." Again, in English, it would be totally redundant and unnecessary to add "all" into these sentences, but in Chinese it's totally natural (and kind of weird not to). You just have to get used to it.
- 大家 都 来 了 吗?Is everyone here?
- 大家 都 应该 知道。Everyone should know.
- 大家 都 说 你 很 聪明。Everyone says you're smart.
- 大家 都 忘 了 他 的 名字。Everyone forgot his name.
- 大家 都 喜欢 吃辣 吗?Does everyone like eating spicy food?
Examples with 每天
One other common way to use 都 (dōu) is when you're talking about something that happens really often, such as "every day": 每天 (měi tiān). Use 都 (dōu) here in Chinese, even if it feels unnatural. (Fake it 'til you make it!)
- 我 每天 都 要 上班 。 I have to go to work every day.
- 老师 每天 都 迟到。 The teacher comes late every day.
- 她 每天 都 不 吃 早饭。 Every day, she eats no breakfast.
- 我 女朋友 每天 都 上 淘宝 。 Taobao is China's biggest online shopping websiteMy girlfriend goes on Taobao every day.
- 妈妈 每天 都 给 我们 做 晚饭。 Mom cooks dinner for us every day.
For more uses with 每 (měi), see also pronoun "mei" for "every".
Other Examples
Here are some other examples that don't use 很多 (hěn duō) or 大家 (dàjiā) or 每天 (měi tiān), but are still quite typical:
- 美国人 都 说 英文。 Americans all speak English.
- 我们 五 个 人 都 去。 All five of us are going.
- 四川人 都 喜欢 吃辣。Sichuanese people all like eating spicy food.
- 我 的 家人 都 没 去 过 中国。None of my family members has been to China.
- 我 的 学生 都 喜欢 问 问题。 My students all like to ask questions.