AdverbsHSK 4
Expressing "already" with 都
The pattern 都...了 emphasizes that something has already happened, often with an implied criticism that someone should stop what they are doing. It typically pairs with 还 or 还在 to express that an action is still continuing unexpectedly.
Structure
都 + Time + 了
The sentence often continues with 还/还在 to add a critical tone about an ongoing action.
Examples
- 都九点了，快点起床！Dōu jiǔ diǎn le , kuài diǎn qǐchuáng!It's already nine o'clock. Get out of bed!
- 都十二点了，你还不睡？Dōu shí'èr diǎn le , nǐ hái bù shuì?It's already 12 o'clock. Aren't you going to bed?
- 都二十一世纪了，你还这么想？Dōu èrshí-yī shìjì le , nǐ hái zhème xiǎng?It's already the 21st century and you still think this way?
- 都一个小时了，他还在厕所里。Dōu yī gè xiǎoshí le , tā hái zài cèsuǒ lǐ.It's already been an hour, and he's still in the bathroom.
- 都一个星期了，还在下雨。Dōu yī gè xīngqī le , hái zài xiàyǔ.It's been a week and it's still raining.