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.
• 每 个 人 我 都 认识 。 Měi gè rén wǒ dōu rènshi. I know every person.
• 我 每 个 星期 都 学 中文 。 Wǒ měi gè xīngqī dōu xué Zhōngwén. I study Chinese every week.
• 他 每 年 都 来 中国 。 Tā měi nián dōu lái Zhōngguó. He comes to China every year.
• 他 的 每 个 女朋友 都 很 漂亮 。 Tā de měi gè nǚpéngyou dōu hěn piàoliang. Every one of his girlfriends are all very beautiful.
• 每 个 菜 都 好吃 。 Měi gè cài dōu hǎochī. Every dish is delicious.
• 我 每 天 都 不 吃 早饭 。 Wǒ měi tiān dōu bù chī zǎofàn. Every morning I don't eat breakfast.
• 每 种 啤酒 我 都 喝 过 。 Měi zhǒng píjiǔ wǒ dōu hē guò. I have drunk every kind of beer.
• 每 个 国家 我 都 去 过 。 Měi gè guójiā wǒ dōu qù guò. I have been to every country.

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