A walled administrative center, the capital city. All, both, every (dōu); capital city (dū). City (阝) beside people (者) gathering — the capital where all converge.
都 follows the group it talks about, not before it.
都 comes before 是, not after it.
都 goes before the description, not at the end.
The subject comes first, then 都, then the verb.
都 sits after the subject, before the verb.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Basic order | 我们都去 | 都我们去 |
| With 是 | 我们都是学生 | 我们是都学生 |
| With description | 我们都很好 | 我们很好都 |
| With negative | 我们都不去 | 都不我们去 |
都 means everyone in the group; 也 means we join in too.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | 我们都去 = everyone in our group goes | 我们也去 = we also go |
| Focus | All people in this group | Our group joins another group |
| Together | 我们也都去 = we all also go | 我们都也去 |
| Example | 他们都去，我们也去 | 他们都去，我们都去 |
都不 means none; 不都 means not all.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| None go | 我们都不去 | 我们不都去 (means not all go) |
| Not all go | 我们不都去 | 我们都不去 (means none go) |
| All go | 我们都去 | 都不我们去 |
Why would a millionaire leave a table of lobster and wagyu untouched? This story explores the hidden rules of business dining and the true cost of staying alert.
旁边的人 都 在给他敬酒，他每次 都 端起来酒杯，嘴唇沾沾杯沿就放下。
可他一开口，整桌人 都 停下来听。
烤和牛上桌的时候别人 都 在夹。
今晚那桌饭三万二，每一口菜 都 是别人的试探。
那桌全是鲍、参、翅、肚，一多半儿见 都 没见过。
他每道菜 都 尝了，吃得满嘴油光。
他说你看，永远 都 是这样，永远事儿 都 是不断。
Think instant noodles are unhealthy? This HSK 6 article challenges common myths and reveals surprising facts about nutrition, oil, and salt in this convenient food.
近年来，中国关于方便面的各种说法几乎全部 都 是“方便面是一种不健康的食物，是垃圾食物”。
对方便面，很多人 都 有各种各样的消极的印象，比如没有营养、有毒，油、盐含量高等等。
但是事实上：无论是使用热风干燥还是通过油炸干燥，方便面中的水分含量 都 很低，一般 都 低于2%。
这些多多少少 都 能补充人体所需要的一些营养成分。
并且，炸方便面 都 是用植物油，特别是棕榈油。
这就是为什么方便面里 都 有一个小盐包。
天天顿顿 都 是方便面也是绝对不推荐的。
In this warm dialogue, a parent introduces their family at a restaurant. A teacher gently corrects common mistakes about family words and names, making it perfect for HSK 2 learners.
他姓钱，我们 都 喜欢叫他“老钱”，您可以叫他“小钱”。
我的孩子们也 都 来了。
我爸妈 都 在欧洲，没过来。
我丈夫的爸妈 都 在家自己做饭呢。
两位老人 都 喜欢在家吃。
B：孩子们 都 上学了吧？
Follow Dazhong, a busy worker in China, as he finds warmth and kindness at a small noodle shop. Practice everyday words for food, weather, and expressing gratitude.
他工作很忙，天天回家 都 很晚。
老先生天天 都 给大中做热面条。
大中吃好面条， 都 对老先生说：“谢谢您，面条很好吃。”
老先生对大中说：“我知道你天天晚上 都 来。
This is a short dialogue about a shopping trip. A woman buys many things, including food, drinks, furniture, and pet food, while her boyfriend reminds her not to overspend.
我买了鸡蛋、面包、牛奶，还有一些水果，这些 都 是你和我的吃的和喝的东西，还有给我们的小猫和小狗吃的东西。
我 都 买了。”
那些桌子、椅子什么的，这个星期 都 便宜了， 都 不贵。”
In this dialogue, two people chat while waiting outside a cinema. You'll hear common phrases for talking about hobbies, sports, and movie preferences.
Ｂ：因为我不喜欢运动，所以这两个我 都 不喜欢。
最近我每周 都 游两三次，但看电影是我最大的爱好！
Ｂ：老的新的 都 喜欢。
This simple HSK 2 story introduces a warm family of six. Follow Little Bao and his British wife as they raise their two green-eyed children, each with their own personality.
朋友们 都 叫他“小包”。
他们人 都 很好。
两个孩子的眼睛的颜色 都 不是黑色的， 都 是绿色的。
Follow Xiao Li as he copes with the effects of forest fires near his home in the US and reflects on environmental changes. A thoughtful story for HSK 4 learners.
小李站在窗户旁边，能看见远处的天 都 变成黄色的了。
小李想，要是天气还这么热，还不下雨，整个森林 都 要烧没了。
新闻里还说，最近这些年，美国西部每年 都 出现的森林大火是气候变化的结果。
This heartwarming story reveals the quiet devotion of a father. As you read, notice the repeated actions and how a simple cup of tea becomes meaningful.
天天晚上八点， 都 有一个老先生来。
老先生天天 都 坐在七号桌子前。
天天 都 是这个时候。
Is four years to reach HSK 5 fast or slow? Follow a conversation between two learners as they compare study hours and share realistic strategies for busy adults.
汉语和中文不 都是 “Chinese”吗？
汉语是“说汉语”，也可以“听汉语”；但是中文是“读中文”，中文和汉字 都 是眼睛在看。
B：我们说话的时候，只说“汉语”就可以了，就是说“中文老师、汉语老师” 都 可以。
A young man helps an old man look for his cat. But the real surprise is why the old man wanted to find the cat. Read on to learn about kindness and friendship.
老先生对白天明说：“我八十岁了，儿子和女儿 都 在北京工作，我一个人住在这里。
天天在家里，很多天 都 没有人和我说话。
白天明对老先生说：“老先生，我天天 都 来这里和您说话。
Enjoy this simple story about a patient and a mysterious apple. It shows how a small act of kindness can make someone feel at home, and you'll learn key words for feelings and daily life.
天天下午，桌子上 都 会多出一个很大的苹果。
家人 都 不在，要多吃水果。”
桌子上有老先生写的字：“我的朋友，你天天 都 好！”
Join a beginner as they ask a Chinese friend to teach them how to cook. This simple HSK 1 dialogue shows that learning one dish at a time is the best way to start.
她的家人、朋友 都 喜欢她做的饭菜。
我说，我什么菜 都 不会做。
Read this short story about people waiting in the rain for a new phone. You will practice numbers, time, and everyday vocabulary.
下雨了，大家 都 没有回去。
明天苹果十九出来了，大家 都 想做第一个买到苹果十九的人。
This playful reading contrasts small universities and big primary schools. You will practice basic words for school levels and sizes while enjoying a simple rhythmic verse.
学生 都 上学。
In this HSK 1 story, two old friends from Britain and China share a meal with their girlfriends. A simple question about who pays leads to a clever and funny solution.
大家 都 笑了。
Shopping for fruit is a common daily task in China. Practice saying prices, counting items, and using simple shopping phrases while buying five apples for three yuan.
这五个苹果 都 是中国苹果。
This playful poem turns numbers into a rhythm of daily life. As you read, practice counting, days of the week, and common time words in a fun, memorable way.
天天 都 好看。
Before you read, try clapping the rhythm. This poem introduces the days of the week and a fun secret: Chinese has two names for Sunday, but no 'Week Seven'!
星期天，星期日，两个名字 都 可以。
This short, soothing piece is about missing someone on a rainy night. The sentences are simple and repeat often, so you can practice reading while feeling the warm emotion.
我天天 都 想你。
Meet Dr. Mi, a doctor and teacher at Sichuan University. This simple HSK 1 story shows his daily routine from morning to night, helping you learn time expressions and everyday activities.
他星期一到星期五 都 要上班。
Learn the fascinating story behind the Chinese idiom '东山再起' (Dongshan Zaiji), which means to make a comeback. Discover its historical roots and modern usage.
这个成语人人 都会 用，但是“东山”是什么意思，好多人不知道。
Meet Gao Youpeng, a friendly Beijing coworker who welcomes the narrator with local dishes and a simple language-exchange plan. This warm HSK 2 story is perfect for first readings about work and friendship.
我教他英文，他教我中文，每天学几个词，很快，我们的英语和汉语 都 能好很多。
Follow a traveler's unexpected hospital stay in China, where counting days and costs becomes practical learning. Practice numbers, dates, food prices, and simple descriptions of a doctor and room.
什么都 要钱，还 都 不好吃。
This playful HSK 1 poem twists words you already know and asks how an hour can be small. Read it aloud and laugh; a fun way to practice Chinese.
老师 都 很老？
Ever wondered where old Beijing's tea-drinking culture has gone? Follow a visitor discovering why locals now avoid famous tea houses—and practice expressing surprise and comparisons in Chinese along the way.
现在去那儿的 都 是外地的，很少老北京。
Before you read, meet the grandparents! This rhyming chant helps you practice the different names for maternal and paternal grandparents in Chinese. Listen to the beat and repeat.
爷爷和奶奶，姥爷和姥姥，他们 都 爱我，我也爱他们。
Chat about where friends study Chinese while exploring 哪儿 and 哪里 across Beijing and Shanghai. Practice asking “where”, talking about “here” and “there”, and using the modest reply 哪里哪里 to accept a compliment.
上海的大学生，“哪里”、“哪儿” 都 说。
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