Expressing "all" with "suoyou"
-
Level
-
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)
-
Used for
-
Keywords
In this grammar structure, we learn about a way to say "all" that is, well, a bit more epic. Sort of like how we might say "all the king's men" or "all the money in the world."
Structure
"所有的... 都..." (suǒyǒu... dōu...) is a pattern used to refer to "every" or "all" of a noun, with the quantity of said noun usually being fairly large.
所有的 + Noun + 都 + Adjective
Examples
- 参加 这 个 会议 的 所有 的 人 都 是 经理。All of the people that are at this meeting are managers.
- 所有 的 自行车 都 太 贵。All of the bikes are too expensive.
- 我 听 说 所有 的 成都 姑娘 都 很 美丽。I've heard that all of the girls from Chengdu are very beautiful.
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) →buy
- Contemporary Chinese 4 (当代中文4) (pp. 181)→buy
Websites
- Chinesegrammar.info: Chinese grammar 所 (suǒ) structural particle
