Difference between revisions of "Expressing "everything" with "shenme dou""

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{{Grammar Box}}  
 
{{Grammar Box}}  
  
什么... 都/也 (shénme... dōu/yě) is a pattern often used to express "all" or "everything." This pattern also works with other question words, such as 哪儿 (nǎr) and 什么时候 (shénme shíhou).
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什么……都 (shénme... dōu) is a pattern often used to express "all" or "everything." Because it's not just one word, though, it can be a little tricky to get the hang of at first.
  
== Basic Structures ==
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== Basic Usage ==
  
=== 什么... 都/也 (shénme... dōu/yě) ===
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=== Structure ===
  
The structure is very clear, as many Chinese grammar points are. In this structure, 都 (dōu) is more frequently used than 也 (yě)。
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In this structure, 都 (dōu) is more frequently used than 也 (yě)。
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
  
Topic + 什么 + 都/也 + Verb/Adj.
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Topic (+ Subj.) + 什么 + 都 / 也 + Verb / Adj.
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
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 +
In some sentences, there will be a subject after the topic in the pattern above. See the following sentences for examples.
  
 
=== Examples ===
 
=== Examples ===
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 +
When used in the positive sense, it is more natural to follow 什么 (shénme) with 都 (dōu) rather than 也 (yě) to express "everything."
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 很 多 人 觉得 外国 东西 <em>什么</em> <em>都</em> 好。 <span class="pinyin">Hěn duō rén juéde wàiguó de dōngxī <em>shénme</em> <em>dōu</em> hǎo.</span> <span class="trans">Many people think that all foreign things are good.</span>
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* 觉得 这里 <em>什么</em> <em>都</em> 好吃。<span class="pinyin">juéde zhèlǐ de cài <em>shénme</em> <em>dōu</em> hǎochī.</span><span class="trans">I think everything is delicious here.</span>
* 我 觉得 这里 <em>什么</em> <em>都</em> 好吃。 <span class="pinyin">Wǒ juéde zhèlǐ <em>shénme</em> <em>dōu</em> hǎochī.</span> <span class="trans">I think everything is delicious here.</span>
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* 中国 历史 爸爸 <em>什么</em> <em>都</em> 知道。<span class="pinyin">Zhōngguó de lìshǐ bàba <em>shénme</em> <em>dōu</em> zhīdào.</span><span class="trans">My dad knows everything about Chinese history.</span>
* 中国 历史 爸爸  <em>什么</em> <em>都</em> 知道。 <span class="pinyin">Zhōngguó de lìshǐ bàba <em>shénme</em> <em>dōu</em> zhīdao.</span> <span class="trans">My dad knows everything about Chinese history.</span>
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* 工作 事情 老公 <em>什么</em> <em>都</em> 跟 我 说。<span class="pinyin">Gōngzuò de shìqing lǎogōng <em>shénme</em> <em>dōu</em> gēn wǒ shuō.</span><span class="trans">My husband tells me everything about work stuff.</span>
* 工作 事情 老公 <em>什么</em> <em>都</em> 跟 我 说。 <span class="pinyin">Gōngzuò de shìqing lǎogōng <em>shénme</em> <em>dōu</em> gēn wǒ shuō.</span> <span class="trans">My husband tells me everything about working stuff.</span>
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* 妈妈 做 菜 我 <em>什么</em> <em>都</em> 喜欢。<span class="pinyin">Māma zuò de cài wǒ <em>shénme</em> <em>dōu</em> xǐhuan.</span><span class="trans">I like everything that mom cooks.</span>
* 家务活 我 <em>什么</em> <em>都</em> 会 做。 <span class="pinyin">Jiāwùhuó wǒ <em>shénme</em> <em>dōu</em> huì zuò.</span> <span class="trans">I can do every piece of housework.</span>
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* 我女朋友 觉得 外国 的 东西 <em>什么</em> <em>都</em> 好。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ nǚpéngyou juéde wàiguó de dōngxi <em>shénme</em> <em>dōu</em> hǎo.</span><span class="trans">My  girlfriend thinks that all foreign things are good.</span>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== Targeted Structures ==
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== Structure with a Noun ==
  
=== Structures with a Noun ===
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=== Structure ===
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
  
什么 + Noun + 都
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什么 + Noun + 都 + Verb
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
<div class="jiegou">
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=== Examples ===
 
 
什么 + Noun + 也
 
 
 
</div>
 
 
 
=== Examples with Nouns ===
 
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 我们 <em>什么</em> <em>都</em> 喝。 <span class="pinyin">Wǒmen <em>shénme</em> jiǔ <em>dōu</em> hē.</span> <span class="trans">We can drink all alcohol.</span>
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* 我们 <em>什么</em> 果汁 <em>都</em> 喝。<span class="pinyin">Wǒmen <em>shénme</em> guǒzhī <em>dōu</em> hē.</span><span class="trans">We drink any kind of fruit juice.</span>
* 她 <em>什么</em> 衣服 <em>都</em> 是 黑色 的 。 <span class="pinyin">Tā <em>shénme</em> yīfu <em>dōu</em> shì hēisè de.</span> <span class="trans">All of her clothes are black.</span>
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* 她 <em>什么</em> 衣服 <em>都</em> 是 黑色 的。<span class="pinyin">Tā <em>shénme</em> yīfu <em>dōu</em> shì hēisè de.</span><span class="trans">All of her clothes are black.</span>
* 妈妈 做 的 <em>什么</em> 菜 <em>都</em> 好吃。 <span class="pinyin">Māma zuò de <em>shénme</em> cài <em>dōu</em> hǎochī.</span> <span class="trans">All of the dishes mom makes are tasty.</span>
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* 妈妈 做 的 <em>什么</em> 菜 <em>都</em> 好吃。<span class="pinyin">Māma zuò de <em>shénme</em> cài <em>dōu</em> hǎochī.</span><span class="trans">All of the dishes mom makes are tasty.</span>
* 我男朋友 <em>什么</em> 运动 <em>都</em> 喜欢 。 <span class="pinyin">Wǒ nánpéngyou <em>shénme</em> yùndòng <em>dōu</em> xǐhuān.</span> <span class="trans">My boyfriend likes all kinds of sports.</span>
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* 我男朋友 <em>什么</em> 运动 <em>都</em> 喜欢。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ nánpéngyou <em>shénme</em> yùndòng <em>dōu</em> xǐhuan.</span><span class="trans">My boyfriend likes all kinds of sports.</span>
* 你 不 应该 <em>什么</em> 话 <em>都</em> 跟 他 说。 <span class="pinyin">Nǐ bù yīnggāi <em>shénme</em> huà <em>dōu</em> gēn tā shuō.</span> <span class="trans">You shouldn't have told everything to him.</span>
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* 你 不 应该 <em>什么</em> 话 <em>都</em> 跟 他 说。<span class="pinyin">Nǐ bù yīnggāi <em>shénme</em> huà <em>dōu</em> gēn tā shuō.</span><span class="trans">You shouldn't tell him everything.</span>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== Negative Structures ==
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== Negative Structure ==
  
=== Structures with 不/没 ===
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=== Structures ===
  
The negative structure simply adds a 不 (bù) or a 没 (méi) after the 都 (dōu)/也 (yě).  Instead of "all" or "everything," this expresses "none" or "not any."
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The negative structure simply adds a 不 (bù) or a 没 (méi) after the 都 (dōu) / 也 (yě).  Instead of "all" or "everything," this expresses "none" or "not any."
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
  
什么 + Noun. + 都/也 + 不
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什么 + Noun + 都 / 也 + 不 + Verb
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
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<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
  
什么 + Noun + 都/也 + 没
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什么 + Noun + 都 / 也 + 没 (有) + Verb
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
=== Negative Examples ===
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=== Examples ===
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
* 生病 以后,爸爸 <em>什么</em> 酒 <em>都</em> <strong>不</strong> �能 喝 了。 <span class="pinyin">Yǐhòu nǐ yīnggāi <em>shénme</em> jiǔ <em>dōu</em> <strong>bù</strong> yào hē.</span> <span class="trans">From now on, you should not drink any alcohol.</span>
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* 生病 以后,爸爸 <em>什么</em> 酒 <em>都</em> <strong>不</strong> 喝 了。<span class="pinyin">Shēngbìng yǐhòu, bàba <em>shénme</em> jiǔ <em>dōu</em> <strong>bù</strong> néng le.</span><span class="trans">After dad got sick, he can't drink any kind of alcohol.</span>
* 老板 现在 很 生气,<em>什么</em> 人 <em>�也</em> <strong>不</strong> �见。 <span class="pinyin">Xiǎo chéngshì <em>shénme</em> dōngxī <em>dōu</em> <strong>bù</strong> guì.</span> <span class="trans">Things in small cities are not expensive at all.</span>
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* 老板 现在 很 生气,<em>什么</em> 人 <em></em> <strong>不</strong> 见。<span class="pinyin">Lǎobǎn xiànzài hěn shēngqì, <em>shénme</em> rén <em> </em> <strong>bù</strong> jiàn.</span><span class="trans"> The boss is very angry. He's doesn't want to see anybody.</span>
* 你 在 家里 怎么 <em>什么</em> <em>都</em> <strong></strong> 做? <span class="pinyin">Wèishénme nǐ  zài jiālǐ <em>shénme</em> gōngzuò <em>dōu</em> <strong> </strong> zuò?</span> <span class="trans">Why haven't you done anything at home?</span>
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* 今天 我 不 舒服,<em>什么</em> 东西 <em>都</em> <strong></strong> 吃。<span class="pinyin">Jīntiān wǒ bù shūfu, <em>shénme</em> dōngxi <em>dōu</em> <strong>méi</strong> chī.</span><span class="trans">Today I don't feel well, so I didn't eat anything.</span>
* 今天 我 胃 不 舒服, <em>什么</em> 东西 <em>�都</em> <strong>没</strong> 吃 。 <span class="pinyin">Jīntiān wǒ <em>shénme</em> dōngxī <em>dōu</em> <strong>méi</strong> chī.</span> <span class="trans">Today I didn't eat anything.</span>
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* 昨天 开会 的时候,她 <em>什么</em> <em></em> <strong>没</strong> 说。<span class="pinyin">Zuótiān kāihuì de shíhou, tā <em>shénme</em> huà <em></em> <strong>méi</strong> shuō.</span><span class="trans">She didn't say anything at yesterday's meeting.</span>
* 昨天 开会 的时候,她 <em>什么</em> <em>�也</em> <strong></strong> �说。 <span class="pinyin">Jīntiān wǒ <em>shénme</em> dōngxī <em>dōu</em> <strong>méi</strong> chī.</span> <span class="trans">Today I didn't eat anything.</span>
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* 你 在 家里 怎么 <em>什么</em> <em></em> <strong></strong> 做?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ  zài jiālǐ zěnme <em>shénme</em> shì <em>dōu</em> <strong> </strong> zuò? </span><span class="trans">How  come you haven't done anything at home? </span>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
==See also==
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== See Also ==
*[[Expressing "every" with "mei" and "dou"]]
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*[[Expressing "everyone" with "shei"]]
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*[[Expressing "every time" with "mei" and "dou"]]
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*[[Expressing "every" with question words]]
  
 
== Sources and further reading ==
 
== Sources and further reading ==
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=== Books ===
 
=== Books ===
  
* [[Common Chinese Patterns 330 (汉语常用格式330例) ]] (p. 195)[http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/7802006473/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=7802006473 →buy]
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{{Source|Common Chinese Patterns 330 (汉语常用格式330例) |195}}
* [[Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide]] (pp. 286-8) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0415700108?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0415700108 →buy]
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{{Source|Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide|286-8}}
* [[Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2 (3rd ed)]] (pp. 216-7) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276709/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0887276709 →buy]
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{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2 (3rd ed)|216-7}}
*[[40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course (基础汉语40课下册)]] (p. 314)[http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001FTL8D8/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B001FTL8D8&linkCode=as2&tag=allset-20 →buy]
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{{Source|40 Lessons for Basic Chinese Course (基础汉语40课下册)|314}}
  
[[Category:B1 grammar points]]
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[[Category:A2 grammar points]]
{{Similar|Expressing "Everyone" with "shei"}}
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{{HSK|HSK2}}{{2021-HSK|HSK2}}
{{Similar|Expressing "Every" with "mei" and "dou"}}
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{{Similar|Expressing "every" with question words}}
 
{{Similar|Referring to "all" using "suoyou"}}
 
{{Similar|Referring to "all" using "suoyou"}}
 
{{Similar|"Not at all"}}
 
{{Similar|"Not at all"}}
{{Basic Grammar|什么|A2|什么都/|爸爸 <em>什么 都</em> 知道。|grammar point|ASGAQV6C}}
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{{Basic Grammar|什么|A2|什么 + 都 / 也⋯⋯|爸爸 <em>什么 都</em> 知道。|grammar point|ASGAQV6C}}
 
{{Rel char|都}}
 
{{Rel char|都}}
 
{{Rel char|也}}
 
{{Rel char|也}}

Latest revision as of 08:54, 21 April 2021

什么……都 (shénme... dōu) is a pattern often used to express "all" or "everything." Because it's not just one word, though, it can be a little tricky to get the hang of at first.

Basic Usage

Structure

In this structure, 都 (dōu) is more frequently used than 也 (yě)。

Topic (+ Subj.) + 什么 + 都 / 也 + Verb / Adj.

In some sentences, there will be a subject after the topic in the pattern above. See the following sentences for examples.

Examples

When used in the positive sense, it is more natural to follow 什么 (shénme) with 都 (dōu) rather than 也 (yě) to express "everything."

  • 我 觉得 这里 的 菜 什么 好吃。Wǒ juéde zhèlǐ de cài shénme dōu hǎochī.I think everything is delicious here.
  • 中国 的 历史 爸爸 什么 知道。Zhōngguó de lìshǐ bàba shénme dōu zhīdào.My dad knows everything about Chinese history.
  • 工作 的 事情 老公 什么 跟 我 说。Gōngzuò de shìqing lǎogōng shénme dōu gēn wǒ shuō.My husband tells me everything about work stuff.
  • 妈妈 做 的 菜 我 什么 喜欢。Māma zuò de cài wǒ shénme dōu xǐhuan.I like everything that mom cooks.
  • 我女朋友 觉得 外国 的 东西 什么 好。Wǒ nǚpéngyou juéde wàiguó de dōngxi shénme dōu hǎo.My girlfriend thinks that all foreign things are good.

Structure with a Noun

Structure

什么 + Noun + 都 + Verb

Examples

  • 我们 什么 果汁 喝。Wǒmen shénme guǒzhī dōu hē.We drink any kind of fruit juice.
  • 什么 衣服 是 黑色 的。shénme yīfu dōu shì hēisè de.All of her clothes are black.
  • 妈妈 做 的 什么 好吃。Māma zuò de shénme cài dōu hǎochī.All of the dishes mom makes are tasty.
  • 我男朋友 什么 运动 喜欢。Wǒ nánpéngyou shénme yùndòng dōu xǐhuan.My boyfriend likes all kinds of sports.
  • 你 不 应该 什么 跟 他 说。Nǐ bù yīnggāi shénme huà dōu gēn tā shuō.You shouldn't tell him everything.

Negative Structure

Structures

The negative structure simply adds a 不 (bù) or a 没 (méi) after the 都 (dōu) / 也 (yě). Instead of "all" or "everything," this expresses "none" or "not any."

什么 + Noun + 都 / 也 + 不 + Verb

什么 + Noun + 都 / 也 + 没 (有) + Verb

Examples

  • 生病 以后,爸爸 什么 能 喝 了。Shēngbìng yǐhòu, bàba shénme jiǔ dōu néng hē le.After dad got sick, he can't drink any kind of alcohol.
  • 老板 现在 很 生气,什么 见。Lǎobǎn xiànzài hěn shēngqì, shénme rén jiàn. The boss is very angry. He's doesn't want to see anybody.
  • 今天 我 不 舒服,什么 东西 吃。Jīntiān wǒ bù shūfu, shénme dōngxi dōu méi chī.Today I don't feel well, so I didn't eat anything.
  • 昨天 开会 的时候,她 什么 说。Zuótiān kāihuì de shíhou, tā shénme huà méi shuō.She didn't say anything at yesterday's meeting.
  • 你 在 家里 怎么 什么 做?Nǐ zài jiālǐ zěnme shénme shì dōu zuò? How come you haven't done anything at home?

See Also

Sources and further reading

Books