Expressing "every" with "mei"

In this article we will look at the structure for saying "every" in Chinese, which is slightly more involved than in English. Here we will learn how to use it properly.

Structure

The pronoun 每 (měi) covers the meanings of "each" and "every." It should be used with "都 (dōu)" in a complete sentence.

每 + Measure word + Noun + 都

Examples

• 每 个 人 都 很 高兴 。 Měi gè rén dōu hěn gāoxìng. Every person is very happy.
• 你 每 次 都 迟到 。 Nǐ měi cì dōu chídào. You are late every time.
• 派对上 的 每 个 人 �你 都 认识 �吗？ Pàiduì shang de měi gè rén nǐ dōu rènshi ma? Do you know every person at the party?
• 我 每 个 星期 都 给 妈妈 打电话。 Wǒ měi gè xīngqī dōu gěi māma dǎ diànhuà. I give mom a phone call every week.
• 他 每 年 都 来 中国。 Tā měi nián dōu lái Zhōngguó. He comes to China every year.
• 你 的 每 个 女朋友 都 很 漂亮。 Nǐ de měi gè nǚpéngyou dōu hěn piàoliang. Each of your girlfriends are all very beautiful.
• 每 个 菜 都 好吃。 Měi gè cài dōu hǎochī. Every dish is delicious.
• 老板 每 天 都 不 吃 早饭。 Lǎobǎn měi tiān dōu bù chī zǎofàn. Every morning the boss doesn't eat breakfast.
• 每 个 国家 都 有 不一样 的 文化。 Měi gè guójiā dōu yǒu bù yīyàng de wénhuà. Every country has different culture.

See also

• Expressing "Every" with "mei" and "dou"
• Measure words for counting
• Measure Words for Verbs

Sources and further reading

Books

• Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition (p. 19) →buy