Expressing "all" with "suoyou"
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Level
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Similar to
- Emphasizing quantity with "dou" (A2)
- Expressing "everything" with "shenme dou" (A2)
- Expressing "double negation" (B1)
- Expressing "every time" with "mei" and "dou" (B1)
- Expressing "every" with question words (B1)
- Expressing "less than" with "budao" (B1)
- Indicating the whole with "quan" (B1)
- Expressing "any" with "renhe" (B2)
- Expressing "no exception" with "yilu" (C1)
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Used for
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Keywords
In this grammar structure, we learn about a way to say "all of" something. Sort of like how we might say "all the king's men" or "all the money in the world."
Contents
Basic Pattern
Structure
This pattern is used to refer to "all" of a noun, with the quantity of said noun usually being fairly large. You may notice that the 的 after 所有 is occasionally omitted.
所有 (+ 的) + Noun
Examples
- 你 买 了 她 所有的 书 ？You've bought all her books?
- 我 喜欢 所有 我 妈妈 做 的 菜 。I like all the food my mom cooks.
- 他 记得 所有 朋友 的 生日 。He remembers all his friends' birthdays.
- 我 的 孩子 看 过 所有 迪斯尼 动画片 。My children have seen all Disney animated films.
Advanced Pattern
Structure
所有 (+ 的) + Noun + 都 + Predicate
The predicate part of the pattern can be a verb or an adjective.
Examples
- 所有 人 都 走 了 吗 ？Did all the people leave?
- 所有 的 学校 都 放假 了。All the schools are out for the holiday.
- 我们 学校 所有 的 老师 都 会 说 英文 。All the teachers in our school can speak English.
- 我们 公司 所有 人 都 参加 了 这个 会议 。All people in our company attended this meeting.
"Not All" with 不是所有的
Structure
不是 + 所有 (+ 的) + Noun + 都 + Predicate
Examples
- 不是 所有的 美国 人 都 爱 喝 咖啡 。Not all Americans like drinking coffee.
- 不是 所有 问题 都 能 用 钱 来 解决 。We can't solve all problems with money.
- 不是 所有 朋友 都 愿意 帮 他 。Not all of his friends are willing to help him.
- 不是 所有的 公司 都 给 员工 提供 培训 。Not all companies provide their employees with training.
See also
- Expressing "Everyone" with "shei"
- Expressing "All" with "shenme dou"
- Expressing "Every" with "mei" and "dou"
- Indicating the whole with "quan"
Sources and further reading
Books
- Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide (pp. 283) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
- Contemporary Chinese 4 (当代中文4) (pp. 181) Anything Goes (无所不谈) →buy
Websites
- Chinesegrammar.info: Chinese grammar 所 (suǒ) structural particle
