Expressing "every time" with "mei" and "dou"

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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

You should already be familiar with how and work together. In this grammar structure, the focus is on what happens every time a certain action is done, for example, "every time he comes across a problem, he needs to write it down."

每 + Verb + Number + MW + Noun + 都 + Verb

Examples

  • 遇到 一 个 问题 要 记 下来。Every time he comes across a problem, he needs to write it down.
  • 参观一个 地方 要 拍照。Every time she visits some place, she takes photos.
  • 拍完 一部电影 要 休息 一个月。Every time he finishes shooting a movie, he needs to take a break for one month.
  • 记住, 写 完 一 篇 文章 要 保存。Remember, every time you finish writing an article, save it.
  • 我们 一 次 假,老师 要 给 我们 很多 作业。Every time we have a holiday, our teacher gives us a lot of homework.
  • 一 个 工作, 要 搬家。Every time he starts a new job, he moves.
  • 为什么 我 一 件 事,你 要 问 “真的吗”?Why you have to ask "really" every time I say something?
  • 一 个 男朋友 , 要 问 我 的 意见。Every time she gets a new boyfriend, she asks for my opinion.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books