Expressing "every" with question words
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Keywords
This grammar point is not about how to use 每 (měi) to mean "every," but rather how to combine question words with 都 (dōu) to make words and phrases like "everywhere" or "everyone." You may have learned this same pattern for expressing "everything," but now it's time to extend it.
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"Everyone" with 谁 都
"谁 都" (shéi dōu) is a pattern used to express "everyone" (or possibly "anyone") in Chinese. The placement of the question word 谁 is very similar to the way 什么 (shénme) can be used to express "every", along with other question words like 哪儿 (nǎr) and 多少 (duōshǎo).
Structure
谁 + 都 (+ 不) + [Verb Phrase]
Examples
- 谁 都 喜欢 美食。Everyone likes delicious food.
- 谁 都 可以 进 。 Everyone can come in.
- 谁 都 不 相信 他 说 的 话 。 No one believes what he said.
"Everywhere" with 哪儿 都
This pattern also works with 哪儿 (nǎr).
Structure
哪儿 / 哪里 + 都 (+ 不) + Verb
Examples
- 他 的 房间 里 哪儿 都 是 脏 衣服 。His dirty laundry is everywhere in his room.
- 我 太 累 了,哪儿 都 不 想 去 。I'm too tired. I don't want to go anywhere.
- 这个 周末 我 有 很 多 作业 ,哪儿 都 不能 去 。I have too much homework this weekend. I can't go anywhere.
"Whenever" with 什么时候 都
什么时候 (shénme shíhou) combines with 都 (dōu) to mean "whenever" or "anytime."
Structure
什么时候 + Verb + 都 + Predicate
Examples
- 你 什么 时候 来 都 行 。You can come anytime.
- 什么 时候 开始 都 不 晚 。It's never too late to begin.
- 什么 时候 送 过来 都 可以 。You can deliver it anytime.
"However Much" with 多少 都
多少 (duōshao) also works with "都" in this case.
Structure
多少 (+ Noun) + 都 + Verb Phrase
Examples
- 你 想 吃 多少 都 可以 。You can eat however much you want.
- 这些 是 免费 的 ,我们 拿 多少 都 没 问题 。These are all free. We can take as much as we want.
- 多少 钱 都 买 不到 这个 东西 。You can't buy this thing at any price.
"However" with 怎么 都
怎么 (zěnme) also works with "都" in this case.
Structure
怎么 + Verb + 都 + Predicate
Examples
- 我 想 怎么 做 都 可以 吗 ? Is it OK if I do however I want?
- 别人 怎么 想 都 不 重要 。 It doesn't matter however other people think.
- 数学 太 难 了 ,我 怎么 学 都 学 不 好 。Math is so hard. I can't learn well however I study.
See also
Sources and further reading
Books