Meanings of 都
By ear
Play it, then pick what 都 means.
About 都
Podcast: 都
Podcast: 都
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 都
也 (yě) - use 都 when emphasizing inclusivity of all members in a group, while 也 is used to indicate agreement or addition in a statement.
Common mistakes include using 都 incorrectly with singular nouns; it should follow plural or collective nouns. For example, saying '我都一个人' (I all one person) is incorrect; it should be '我们都在一起' (We are all together). The tone is important; ensure to pronounce it with a high level tone.
As an HSK Level 1 word, 都 connects well with other basic vocabulary that denotes quantity, such as 每 (měi, each) and 所有 (suǒyǒu, all). Focus on practicing sentences using 都 to reinforce its meaning in various contexts.
Learners often misuse 都 with singular forms, such as saying '我都一个人' instead of the correct '我们都来了' (We all came). Another common error is forgetting to use the correct tone, leading to miscommunication.
Pronunciation of 都
Drill the tone of 都 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 都 to You
Let me explain 都 for you
Make it yours
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 都 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
Etymology of 都
Phonosemantic compound. ⻏ represents the meaning and 者 represents the sound. Based on the meaning "large city, capital", which is the meaning when pronounced "dū". When pronounced "dōu", it has the unrelated meaning "all", etymologically related to
city
Origin
都 = 阝 + 者. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 都
Parts
Which of these is part of 都?
How to say all in Chinese
“all” in Chinese is都
都 (dōu) is a versatile Chinese character primarily meaning 'all' or 'both'. It is commonly used to emphasize inclusivity or completeness in a statement, such as 'We all went' (我们都去了). In conversational contexts, it can also convey a sense of emphasis, like saying 'even' or 'already'.
When to use 都
Common mistakes include using 都 incorrectly with singular nouns; it should follow plural or collective nouns. For example, saying '我都一个人' (I all one person) is incorrect; it should be '我们都在一起' (We are all together). The tone is important; ensure to pronounce it with a high level tone.
都 or something close to it
也 (yě) - use 都 when emphasizing inclusivity of all members in a group, while 也 is used to indicate agreement or addition in a statement.
What learners get wrong
Learners often misuse 都 with singular forms, such as saying '我都一个人' instead of the correct '我们都来了' (We all came). Another common error is forgetting to use the correct tone, leading to miscommunication.
Write 都
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 都 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 都
都 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 10 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.
...
这都是我做的。
This is all done by me.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
同学们____很认真。
The classmates are all very serious.
Common Confusions with 都
Similar pronunciation but different meaning.
都 emphasizes inclusivity, while 也 means 'also' or 'too'.
他也来了 vs 他都来了
都 emphasizes inclusivity, while 也 means 'also' or 'too'.
Which one
Which one means “all”?
Usage Notes for 都
Avoid overusing '都' in sentences where it isn’t necessary.
我都喜欢吃苹果。
I all like to eat apples.
Get it right
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
我____喜欢吃苹果。
I all like to eat apples.
Example Sentences for 都 (62)
Rebuild it
Rebuild it: “We all like this movie.”
Ask Jason
Have a question about 都?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
Word Family of 都
Characters with 都
What does 嘟 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 都
Yes, 都 can be used for emphasis in Chinese. For instance, saying '他都来了' (tā dōu lái le) translates to 'He has even come,' stressing that he is included among those who have arrived.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 都?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.