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.

Using 每 and 都 when focusing on time

（需要加）

Using 每 and 都 when focusing on a certain action

In this grammar structure, we focus on every time a certain action is done, like "every time he speaks I can't understand him."

每 + Verb + Number + 都 + Adjective/Verb

Examples

• 他 每 说 一 句 话，我 都 不 明白。Every time he speaks I can't understand him.
• 她 每 参观一个 地方 都 要 拍照。Every time she visits some place, she takes photos.
• 我 每 看完 一部电影 都 想 跟 他讨论。Every time I finish watching a movie, I want to discuss it with him.
• 记住,每 写完一 篇 文章 都 要 保存。Remember, every time you finish 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