都 (dōu) — all, both (indicates totality); even (used for emphasis, often in negative statements); already (before a number or time, often paired with 了)
Definition
都 (dōu) has two main uses: (1) 'all/both' before a verb to mark everyone/everything in a group (我们都去); (2) before a number or time meaning 'already' (都八点了). Don't confuse it with 已经, which only means 'already'.
adverb
allboth (indicates totality)even (used for emphasis, often in negative statements)already (before a number or time, often paired with 了)
Examples
- 都。Wǒ men dōu shì zhōng guó rén.We are all Chinese.
- 都，。Tā dōu bù lái, wǒ men zǒu ba.He won't even come; let's go.
- 都，。dōu Bā diǎn le, kuài qǐ chuáng.It's already 8 o'clock; get up quickly.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.
都 is built from 者, which supplies the sound, and 邑, meaning town or city.
Grammar
Appears in
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