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.

Structure

In this grammar structure, we focus on every time a certain action is done, like "Every time he comes across a problem, he needs to write it down."

每 + Verb + Number + MW + Noun + 都 + Adj. / Verb

Examples

• 他 每 遇到 一 个 问题，都 要 记 下来。Every time he comes across a problem, he needs to write it down.
• 她 每 参观一个 地方 都 要 拍照。Every time she visits some place, she takes photos.
• 他 每 拍完 一部电影， 都 要 休息 一个月。Every time he finishes shooting a movie, he needs to take a break for one month.
• 记住，每 写完一 篇 文章 都 要 保存。Remember, every time you finish writing an article, save it.

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