HSK 1
都 (dōu): Scope and Position in Chinese
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.
STRUCTURE
Range/Topic + 都 + Predicate
When to use 都 — and when not
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。
Don't 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.
Right vs. wrong
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.
Examples
我们都学中文。
Wǒmen dōu xué Zhōngwén.
We all study Chinese.
我们都不喝茶。
Wǒmen dōu bù hē chá.
None of us drinks tea.
爸爸和妈妈都在家。
Bàba hé māma dōu zài jiā.
Dad and Mom are both at home.
这些书都很好看。
Zhèxiē shū dōu hěn hǎokàn.
These books are all nice.
这两本书我都看了。
Zhè liǎng běn shū wǒ dōu kàn le.
I read both of these books.
我们不都去。
Wǒmen bù dōu qù.
Not all of us are going.
Common mistakes
都我们学中文。
Dōu wǒmen xué Zhōngwén.
Put the scoped subject before 都: 我们都学中文。
我们学都中文。
Wǒmen xué dōu Zhōngwén.
都 belongs before the predicate, not between 学 and 中文: 我们都学中文。
Think you've got it?
Write your own 都 sentence and check that grammar point first.
都 (dōu): Scope and Position FAQ
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.