都 (dōu): Scope and Position in Chinese
都
都 is a scope adverb that says a predicate applies across the relevant people, things, times, or cases. In a neutral statement, the scoped expression normally comes before 都, and 都 comes before the predicate. Do not require a plural subject mechanically: a fronted object or a set of events can also supply the range.
Published July 16, 2026
Reviewed July 16, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
Range/Topic + 都 + Predicate
Read the structure
都 is a scope adverb that says a predicate applies across the relevant people, things, times, or cases. In a neutral statement, the scoped expression normally comes before 都, and 都 comes before the predicate. Do not require a plural subject mechanically: a fronted object or a set of events can also supply the range. Keep the model Range/Topic + 都 + Predicate visible while you compare each sentence.
我们都学中文。
We all study Chinese.
Choose the right context
To say a predicate applies to every member of a stated group: 我们都学中文。 After a coordinated or plural subject: 爸爸和妈妈都在家。 With a fronted object as the range: 这两本书我都看了。 Before negation when every member is excluded: 我们都不喝茶。
我们都不喝茶。
None of us drinks tea.
Respect the boundary
Do not put 都 directly before an object noun; it normally stands before the predicate: 我们都学中文, not 我们学都中文. Do not force 都 into every plural-subject sentence. A sentence without it may still be grammatical and express a different scope. Do not treat 都不 and 不都 as interchangeable: 都不 excludes every member, while 不都 means not all. Do not fold later patterns such as 谁都..., 无论...都..., or the emphatic 都...了 into this beginner scope rule.
都我们学中文。
(We all study Chinese.)
Repair the pattern
都 placed before the subject in a neutral statement: 我们 is the group being summarized, so it comes before 都. The scope adverb then stands before the predicate 学中文. 都 inserted between the verb and its object: 都 does not directly modify the object noun 中文. Put it before the whole predicate 学中文, after the scoped subject 我们.
我们都学中文。
Use the repaired structure without changing the intended meaning.
02 / MAP
Read the Sentence
Read from left to right and notice the job performed by each part. The labels describe this example; they are not a rule that every Chinese sentence must copy.
我们都学中文。
We all study Chinese.
我们
Range/Topic
This part occupies the Range/Topic position in the model pattern.
都
都
This part occupies the 都 position in the model pattern.
学
Predicate
This part occupies the Predicate position in the model pattern.
中文
Range/Topic
This part occupies the Range/Topic position in the model pattern.
03 / EXAMPLES
Examples You Can Reuse
Keep the structure stable while changing the people, objects, times, or conditions. Pinyin is shown as reading support; use the Chinese sentence and translation to confirm the grammar relationship.
我们都学中文。
We all study Chinese.
我们都不喝茶。
None of us drinks tea.
爸爸和妈妈都在家。
Dad and Mom are both at home.
这些书都很好看。
These books are all nice.
这两本书我都看了。
I read both of these books.
我们不都去。
Not all of us are going.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- To say a predicate applies to every member of a stated group: 我们都学中文。
- After a coordinated or plural subject: 爸爸和妈妈都在家。
- With a fronted object as the range: 这两本书我都看了。
- Before negation when every member is excluded: 我们都不喝茶。
Do not use it when
- Do not put 都 directly before an object noun; it normally stands before the predicate: 我们都学中文, not 我们学都中文.
- Do not force 都 into every plural-subject sentence. A sentence without it may still be grammatical and express a different scope.
- Do not treat 都不 and 不都 as interchangeable: 都不 excludes every member, while 不都 means not all.
- Do not fold later patterns such as 谁都..., 无论...都..., or the emphatic 都...了 into this beginner scope rule.
05 / REPAIR
Compare Right and Wrong
Compare the smallest meaningful change. Each explanation identifies a placement, scope, form, or clause relationship instead of treating the whole sentence as one undifferentiated mistake.
都我们学中文。
我们都学中文。
都 placed before the subject in a neutral statement
我们 is the group being summarized, so it comes before 都. The scope adverb then stands before the predicate 学中文.
我们学都中文。
我们都学中文。
都 inserted between the verb and its object
都 does not directly modify the object noun 中文. Put it before the whole predicate 学中文, after the scoped subject 我们.
都我们学中文。
Put the scoped subject before 都: 我们都学中文。
我们学都中文。
都 belongs before the predicate, not between 学 and 中文: 我们都学中文。
06 / PRACTICE
Practice the Grammar Point
Complete three short tasks in order: judge the pattern, repair a common error, and build the sentence. Feedback is fixed and reviewed, so these activities do not use a checker allowance.
1. Judge the sentence
2. Choose the correction
3. Build the sentence
Build a complete sentence with 都.
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 都. Your draft moves to the checker through this browser session, selects this grammar point as the first review focus, and waits for you to submit.
08 / QUESTIONS
都 (dōu): Scope and Position Questions
Where does 都 go in a Chinese sentence?
In a neutral statement, put the group or topic first, then 都, then the predicate: 我们都学中文. If an object supplies the range, front it: 这两本书我都看了.
What is the difference between 都不 and 不都?
都不 means every member is excluded: 我们都不去 means none of us is going. 不都 means not every member: 我们不都去 means some may go and some may not.
Does 都 always need a plural subject?
No. A plural subject is the easiest beginner case, but a fronted object, time range, place range, or a set of events can also supply its scope. Do not judge 都 from subject number alone.
09 / SOURCES
Sources and Review Notes
These references support different parts of the lesson. GF0025-2021 supports level placement only; professional grammar works support the explanation, limits, examples, and cross-checks. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement.
Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide, 3rd ed.
Ross, Ma, Chen, He and Yeh · Routledge · 2024
Locator: Construction index and function chapters relevant to 都
Supports the learner-facing account of where 都 appears and what communicative job it performs.
Official sourceChinese: A Comprehensive Grammar, 2nd ed.
Yip and Rimmington · Routledge · 2016
Locator: Relevant sentence and clause chapters for 都
Cross-checks the Range/Topic + 都 + Predicate pattern, clause relationship, and limits represented by the reviewed examples.
Official sourceChinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education (GF0025-2021)
Ministry of Education and State Language Commission · Ministry of Education of the PRC · 2021
Locator: Appendix A, Level 1 grammar inventory
Supports directory placement at HSK 1; it does not independently prove usage rules.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
Continue learning
无论…都无论...都 (No Matter...)
Use 都 to close a universal result across open alternatives.
Compare
有的……，有的……有的…有的… for Dividing a Group
Compare whole-set 都 with 有的 selecting different subsets.
Easy to confuse
全 / 一共 / 只全 / 一共 / 只 for Scope and Totality
Place 全 beside 都 and contrast both with total 一共 and restrictive 只.
Easy to confuse
都……了表示主观大量都……了 for a Subjectively Large Amount
Compare ordinary whole-set 都 with 都……了 evaluating a quantity against an expected limit.
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Continue learning
Use 都 to close a universal result across open alternatives.