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.

Simple Pattern

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.

Subj. + 每次 + [Verb Phrase 1] + 都 + [Verb Phrase 2]

Examples

  • 小时候 每次 过年 奶奶 给 我 红包 。When I was young, every time we celebrate CNY, grandma gave me a red packet.
  • 每次 经过 这 家 店 要 进去 看看 。Every time I pass this shop, I go inside and take a look.
  • 每次 出去 吃饭 要 拍照 。 měi cì chūqù chīfàn dōu yào pāizhào.Every time she eats out, she takes photos.
  • 每次 编辑 要 保存 。Měicì biānjí dōu yào bǎocún.Every time you edit, save it.
  • 每次 玩 这个 游戏 输 。měicì wán zhège yóuxì dōu shū.Every time I play this game, I lose.
  • 我 姐姐 每次 换 工作 要 搬家 。 Wǒ jiějie měi cì huàn gōngzuò dōu yào bānjiā.Every time my elder sister starts a new job, she moves.
  • 每次 遇到 生词 要 查 字典 。měicì yùdào shēngcí dōu yào chá zìdiǎn.Every time he comes across a new word, he looks it up in the dictionary.

Every

Structure

Subj. + 每 + [Period of Time] + [Verb Phrase]

Examples

  • 两 年 一 个 手机 。I buy a new cell phone every two years.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books