都
all, both: after the subject, before the verb
Structure
主语（复数） + 都 + 动词／形容词 · 也都
What it means
都 means “all” or “both”. It gathers up everyone or everything named before it.
How it is built
Plural subject + 都 + verb or adjective: 他们都是王明的朋友 (They're all Wang Ming's friends). 都没有 = none, neither: 我姐姐和弟弟都没有孩子.
When to use it
The people or things must come before 都: 猫和狗，我都没有 (Cats or dogs: I have neither). With 也, the order is 也都: 我们也都是学生.
Watch out
It can't go before the subject like English “all”: ✗ 都我们是学生 ✓ 我们都是学生. With 也: ✗ 都也 ✓ 也都.
Examples
他们都是王明的朋友。
They’re all Wang Ming’s friends.
我姐姐和弟弟都没有孩子。
Neither my older sister nor my younger brother has children.
猫和狗，我都没有。
Cats or dogs: I have neither.
王明是北京人，他爸爸妈妈也都是北京人。
Wang Ming is from Beijing, and his mum and dad are both from Beijing too.
Learn this in HSK 1 · Lesson 4: 我家有五口人 (How many in your family?)
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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