Scope adverb 都 (dōu)

Pattern

• Subject + 都 + Verb/Adjective

Usage

• 都 (dōu) means “all” or “both” and summarizes a plural subject that precedes it.
• Like 也, its position is fixed: Plural Subject + 都 + Verb/Adjective.
• Examples: 我们都是学生 (We are all students), 他和我都喜欢中国菜 (Both he and I like Chinese food), 这些书都很有意思 (All these books are very interesting).
• Combining 都 with negation creates two distinct meanings: - 都不 (dōu bù)

Examples

1. 1

   我们都是学生。

   Wǒmen dōu shì xuéshēng.

   We are all students.

2. 2

   他们都很高兴。

   Tāmen dōu hěn gāoxìng.

   They are all very happy.

3. 3

   这些苹果都很大。

   Zhèxiē píngguǒ dōu hěn dà.

   All of these apples are very big.

4. 4

   我和他都喜欢看电影。