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.

Simple Pattern

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.

Subj. + 每次 + [Verb Phrase 1] + 都 + [Verb Phrase 2]

Examples

• 小时候 每次 过年 ，奶奶 都 给 我 红包 。Xiǎoshíhou měi cì guònián nǎinai dōu gěi wǒ hóngbāo.When I was young, every time we celebrate CNY, grandma gave me a red packet.
• 我 每次 经过 这 家 店 都 要 进去 看看 。Wǒ měi cì jīngguò zhè jiā diàn dōu yào jìnqù kànkan.Every time I pass this shop, I go inside and take a look.
• 她 每次 出去 吃饭 都 要 拍照 。Tā měi cì chūqù chīfàn dōu yào pāizhào.Every time she eats out, she takes photos.
• 每次 编辑 都 要 保存 。Měi cì biānjí dōu yào bǎocún.Every time you edit, save it.
• 我 每次 玩 这个 游戏 都 输 。Wǒ měi cì wán zhège yóuxì dōu shū.Every time I play this game, I lose.
• 我 姐姐 每次 换 工作 都 要 搬家 。Wǒ jiějie měi cì huàn gōngzuò dōu yào bānjiā.Every time my elder sister starts a new job, she moves.
• 他 每次 遇到 生词 都 要 查 字典 。Tā měi cì yùdào shēngcí dōu yào chá zìdiǎn.Every time he comes across a new word, he looks it up in the dictionary.

Every

Structure

Subj. + 每 + [Period of Time] + [Verb Phrase]

Examples

• 我 每 两 年 换 一 个 手机 。I buy a new cell phone every two years.
• 你 应该 每 半 年 体检 一 次 。You should take the physical examination every half a year.
• 每 八 个 小时 充 一 次 电 。Charge it every eight hours.

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