HSK Guide

都 dōu — all, both, every one of them

dōu (first tone, high and level)dou1

all, both, every one of them

HSK 1· HSK 1–4 (classic)Level 1· Three-band, nine-level standardadverb
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Meanings

  1. all, both, every one of them

    Sums up a plural subject that has already been named. 都 is an adverb, so it stands before the verb and after the people or things it covers: 我们都是学生, never 都我们是学生.

    adverb

Character breakdown

  • 都
    dōu (first tone, high and level) dū (first tone, high and level)

    (dōu) all, both, entirely; even; already; (dū) a capital, a metropolis

    10 strokes⿰者阝Radical 邑

Example sentences

  • 我们都喜欢看电影。我們都喜歡看電影。Wǒmen (third tone, dipping) dōu (first tone, high and level) xǐhuan (third tone, dipping) kàn (fourth tone, falling) diànyǐng. (fourth tone, falling)···

    We all like watching films.

  • 这些书都是我的。這些書都是我的。Zhèxiē (fourth tone, falling) shū (first tone, high and level) dōu (first tone, high and level) shì (fourth tone, falling) wǒ (third tone, dipping) de. (neutral tone)···

    These books are all mine.

Common mistakes

  • Not quite都我们是学生。

    Correct我们都是学生。

    都 looks back at what has just been said, so it can never open a sentence. Name the group first, then put 都 in front of the verb.

Similar words

Words containing 都