都……了
already (later or more than you’d like)
Structure
都 + 时间／数量 + 了 ，……
What it means
都 + a time, an age or an amount + 了 means “already”, with a feeling of “that’s late” or “that’s a lot”. Here 都 does not mean “all”.
How it is built
都 + time/age/amount + 了, then a comment: 都八点了，快走吧！ (It’s eight already. Let’s go!)
When to use it
Use it to show surprise or push someone to act; the next part says what to do or why you are surprised: 你都二十岁了，还不会洗衣服？ Stress the number. Not the 都 “all” of h1-4.
Watch out
Don’t forget the 了. ✗ 都十二点，快睡觉吧！ ✓ 都十二点了，快睡觉吧！
Examples
都八点了，他怎么还没来？
It’s eight already. Why isn’t he here yet?
都十二点了，快睡觉吧！
It’s twelve already. Go to bed!
你都二十岁了，还不会洗衣服？
You’re twenty and you still can’t do your own washing?
我都等了一个小时了！
I’ve been waiting a whole hour!
Learn this in HSK 2 · Lesson 16: 火车快要开了 (Catching a train)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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