Comparing "dou" and "quan"
都 (dōu) and 全 (quán) both are adverbs that mean "all." Sometimes they can be used interchangeably, and sometimes they can even be used together as 全部 (quán dōu). Both words are used in informal and formal settings. Only 全 can be used as an adjective to mean "complete" or "entire." 都 is used in a wide variety of other grammar patterns which cannot use 全.
| 都 (dōu) | 全 (quán) | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | all; at all; already | all; complete, entire |
| Part of Speech | adverb | adverb, adjective |
| Formality | flexible | flexible |
Contents
Both 都 (dōu) and 全 (quán) are adverbs that can mean "all"
As adverbs, 都 (dōu) and 全 (quán) are often interchangeable
- 我们 小区 周围 都 是 写字楼。 Our neighborhood is surrounded by office buildings.
- 因为 战争，这里的 人 全 离开 了。 Because of the war, all the people here left.
- 大家 全 来 了。 Everyone came all over.
- 电子 资料 和 纸质 资料 我 都 有。 I have all the information electronically and in paper form.
- 问题 都 解决 了。 The problems are solved.
As adverbs, 都 (dōu) and 全 (quán) can be used together
For added emphasis, use them together as 全都.
- 披萨 全 都 吃 完 了。 The pizza was all gone.
- 我们 全 都 是 上班族。We are all working people.
- 漫威的 电影 全 都 看 完 了。 All the Marvel movies were watched.
全 can be used as an adjective to mean "complete" or "entire"
When used in this way, 全 comes before a noun, meaning "entire." 都 cannot be used this way.
Common Phrases
- 全天
- 全公司
- 全国
- 全球
- 全世界
Example Sentences
- 老婆 笑着 坐下 说 ： “ 鱼 我 全 吃 了 。
- 我 要 一 份 全 熟 的 牛排 。
- 我 需要 全天 工作。
- 他 的 英文 非常 棒 ， 可以 去 参加 全国 比赛 。
- 我们 公司 在 全球 都 有 工厂 。
- 全世界 的 人 都 很想 知道 大选 的 结果 。
都 (dōu) can emphasize "all" when there are many
全 is for emphasizing "entire," not "all" of many things.
- 很多 人 都 喜欢 火锅。
- 很多 人 全 喜欢 火锅。
- 我 每天 都 运动。
- 我 每天 全 运动。
- 因为 疫情，很多 地方 都 关门 了。
- 因为 疫情，很多 地方 全 关门 了。
都 (dōu) has many different grammatical uses
The uses of 都 in grammar patterns are so varied that we will not attempt to list them all here. That's what the Chinese Grammar Wiki is for! But we'll give a few common uses of 都 that you are most likely to run into.
都 can be used with 每，covers the meanings of "each" and "every."See the Chinese Grammar Eiki entry.
- 我 每 个 星期六 都 去 游泳。
都 can be used with 什么 to make 什么都, which means "everything." See the Chinese Grammar Eiki entry.
- 我 什么 都 喜欢。
都 can mean "already." In this usage there's also a 了. See the Chinese Grammar Eiki entry.
- 都 6 点 了 ！
Combined with 一点 to make 一点都 (and followed by a negative), 都 can mean "not at all." See the Chinese Grammar Eiki entry.
- 我 一点 都 不 想 和 他 做 朋友 。
都 appears in quite a lot of grammar patterns, so you'll want to get familiar with those on the Chinese Grammar Wiki.
Sources and further reading
AllSet Learning Wikis
- Grammar patterns which use 都 (Chinese Grammar Wiki)
