Comparing "dou" and "quan"

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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 都 can also be used to mean "(not) at all" (usually used in the negative for emphasis) or "already." Only 全 can be used as an adjective to mean "complete" or "entire."











B1HSK3ASV4567
都 (dōu) 全 (quán)
Meaning all; at all; already all; complete, entire
Part of Speech adverb adverb, adjective
Formality flexible flexible


Sources and further reading

Books

Websites

对外汉语教学:怎么区别“都”和“全”? - Chinese Fever的文章 - 知乎 https://zhuanlan.zhihu.com/p/215968679