The Chinese word “都” (dōu) is used most often to mean “all”, ‘both” or “entirely”. It can also be used for emphasis and to mean “already”. When used with the negator “不” it is necessary to pay attention to where “都” appears in the sentence since it completely changes the meaning.
(1) 都 as “all” or “both” ( 都 + v/adj )
Unlike in English, there is no distinction between “both” and “all”, Chinese simply uses“都” when referring to more than one.
1. 艾米丽、约翰和莉莉都喜欢听音乐。( Àimǐlí, Yuēhàn hé Lìlì dōuxǐhuāntīng yīnyuè. )
Emily, John, and Lily all like listening to music.
2. 他们两个都在这家银行工作。(Tāmen liǎng gè dōu zài zhèjiā yínháng gōngzuò.)
They both work at this bank.
3. 这些菜都很好吃。(Zhèxiē cài dōu hěn hǎochī.)
All these dishes are delicious.
4. 都可以。(Dōu kěyǐ.)
Anything is fine.
(2) 都 as “already” ( 都 … 了 )
1. 都十点了，你怎么还没起床？(Dōu shí diǎn le, nǐ zěnme hái méi qǐchuáng?)
It’s already 10 o’clock, why haven’t you gotten up yet?
2. 都很晚了，你还没下班？(Dōu hěn wǎn le, nǐ hái méi xiàbān?)
It’s quite late, and you haven’t finished work yet?
3. 都冬天了，她为什么还穿裙子？(Dōu dōngtiān le, tā wèishénme hái chuān qúnzi?)
It’s already winter, why is she still wearing skirts?
4. 你现在才到！我都吃完饭了。(Nǐ xiànzài cái dào! Wǒ dōu chīwán fàn le.)
You’re only arriving now! I’ve already finished eating.
(3) 都 as “even” （often used with 连 or 别说）
When used in this way, “都”emphasizes the degree of the action, characteristic, or situation being discussed, indicating that it applies even to an extent that might be surprising or challenging.
1. 我连她叫什么名字都不知道。（Wǒ lián tā jiào shénme míngzi dōu bùzhīdào.）
I don’t even know what her name is.
2. 这道题连大学生都做不出来，更别说小学生。（Zhè dào tí lián dàxuéshēng dōu zuò bù chūlái, gèng biéshuō xiǎoxuéshēng.）
This question is so hard that even college students can’t solve it, let alone elementary school students.
3. 别说我，（连）富翁都买不起这辆车。（Biéshuō wǒ,( lián) fùwēng dōu mǎibùqǐ zhèliàng chē.）
Don’t even mention me, even wealthy people can’t afford this car.
4. 你想都别想骗我。（Nǐ xiǎng dōu biéxiǎng piàn wǒ.）
Don’t even think about trying to lie to me.
(4) In negative sentences
(一) “都+没” meaning “none” or “all didn’t”
1. 他们都没吃早饭。(Tāmendōu méi chī zǎofàn.)
They haven’t all had breakfast.
2. 我们都没准备好。(Wǒmen dōu méi zhǔnbèi hǎo.)
None of us are ready.
3. 为什么你们都没写作业？(Wèishénme nǐmen dōu méi xiězuò yè?)
Why haven’t all of you done your homework?
(二) “都不+v/adj” meaning “none” or “all don’t”
1. 他们都不是学生。(Tāmendōu búshi xuésheng.)
None of them are students.
2. 他们都不喜欢跑步。(Tāmendōu bù xǐhuan pǎobù.)
None of them like running.
3. 我们都不喜欢吃辣椒。(Wǒmen dōu bù xǐhuan chī làjiāo.)
None of us like spicy peppers.
（三）“不都”meaning “not all”
1. 他们不都是学生。(Tāmen bù dōu shì xuésheng.)
Not all of them are students.
2. 他们不都喜欢跑步。(Tāmen bù dōu xǐhuan pǎobù.)
They do not all like running.
3. 我们不都喜欢吃辣。 (Wǒmen bù dōu xǐhuān chī là.)
We don’t all like spicy food.
It is important to note that when asked in question form these sentences have completely different meanings.
For example:
(1) 他们不都是学生吗？( Tāmen bù dōu shì xuésheng ma?)
Aren’t they all students?
(2) 他们不都喜欢跑步吗？(Tāmen bù dōu xǐhuan pǎobù ma?)
Don’t they all like running?
In order to avoid this confusion, we typically add “并” (bìng) before “不”.
(1) 他们并不都是学生。(Tāmen bìngbù dōu shì xuésheng.)
Not all of them are students.
(2) 他们并不都喜欢跑步。(Tāmen bìngbù dōu xǐhuan pǎobù.)
They do not all like running.
Check your understanding
Try some multiple choice questions to practice using “都”.