Expressing "every time" with "mei" and "dou"

每⋯⋯都⋯⋯ (měi⋯⋯ dōu⋯⋯) is a pattern used to express "every time," even though the phrase 每次 (měi cì) may not be explicitly used.

Structure

You should already be familiar with how 每 and 都 work together. In this grammar structure, the focus is on what happens every time a certain action is done, for example, "every time he comes across a problem, he needs to write it down."

每 + Verb + Number + Measure Word + Noun + 都 + Verb

Examples

• 他 每 遇到 一 个 问题 都 要 记 下来。Every time he comes across a problem, he needs to write it down.
• 她 每 参观一个 地方 都 要 拍照。Every time she visits some place, she takes photos.
• 他 每 拍完 一部电影 都 要 休息 一个月。Every time he finishes shooting a movie, he needs to take a break for one month.
• 记住，每 写 完 一 篇 文章 都 要 保存。Remember, every time you finish writing an article, save it.
• 我们 每 放 一 次 假，老师 都 要 给 我们 很多 作业。Every time we have a holiday, our teacher gives us a lot of homework.
• 他 每 换 一 个 工作，都 要 搬家。Every time he starts a new job, he moves.
• 为什么 我 每 说 一 件 事，你 都 要 问 “真的吗”？Why you have to ask "really" every time I say something?
• 她 每 交 一 个 男朋友 ，都 要 问 我 的 意见。Every time she gets a new boyfriend, she asks for my opinion.

See also

• Pronoun "mei" for "every"
• Emphasising quantity with "dou"
• Measure words for verbs

Sources and further reading

Books

• Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition (pp. 87-8) →buy
• Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed) (pp. 267) →buy
• Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide (pp. 284-5) →buy