都1

HSK-G-16
HSK 1 词类 副词

Can 都 start a sentence before the subject?

No. 都 must sit after the subject, right before the verb.

English says 'All of us like Chinese food,' so your brain wants 都我们. That flips the order and sounds broken to native ears. Put 都 after the people, right before the verb: 我们都喜欢中国菜. It scoops up everyone you just named.
Situation / PatternFormulaNaturalAvoid
Talking about a whole groupSubject + 都 + Verb我们都喜欢中国菜。都我们喜欢中国菜。
Saying every one of them他们 + 都 + Verb他们都去。都他们去。

Does dropping 都 change 我们喜欢中国菜 into 'we all like' or just 'we like'?

Without 都, it's just 'we like'; 都 adds 'every one of us'.

我们喜欢中国菜 means the group likes it. 我们都喜欢中国菜 underlines no one is left out. If you mean every single person, keep 都. If you just mean the group in general, drop it.
Situation / PatternFormulaNaturalAvoid
Just 'we' as a groupSubject + Verb我们喜欢中国菜。我们都喜欢中国菜。(overkill if not all)
Every one of us, no exceptionsSubject + 都 + Verb我们都喜欢中国菜。我们喜欢中国菜。(misses 'all')

Can I swap 都 for 也 when saying 我们都是学生?

No. 都 means all; 也 means also. Swapping changes the meaning.

都 means all; 也 means also. Swapping them changes the meaning, so they are not interchangeable. 我们都是学生 = all of us are students. 我们也都是学生 = we are also all students. You can use both, but 也 adds 'also' on top.
Situation / PatternFormulaNaturalAvoid
All of usSubject + 都 + Verb我们都是学生。我们也都是学生。(adds 'also')
Also all of usSubject + 也 + 都 + Verb我们也都是学生。我们都是学生。(misses 'also')
Just alsoSubject + 也 + Verb我们也是学生。我们都是学生。(changes 'also' to 'all')

Appears in Stories 14 stories

《热面条》 Hot Noodles on a Cold Night
HSK 1 ~5 min read 399 chars
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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。

    He has a busy job, getting home late every single night.

  • 老先生天天都给大中做热面条。

    Every day, the old gentleman would make piping hot noodles for Dazhong.

  • 老先生对大中说:“我知道你天天晚上都来。

    The old gentleman smiled at Dazhong: 'I know you come by every single night.

《你喜欢看老电影吗?》 Do You Like Old Movies?
HSK 2 ~3 min read 224 chars
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In this dialogue, two people chat while waiting outside a cinema. You'll hear common phrases for talking about hobbies, sports, and movie preferences.

  • 最近我每周都游两三次,但看电影是我最大的爱好!

    Lately I swim two or three times a week, but watching movies is my biggest hobby!

  • B:老的新的都喜欢。

    B: I like both old and new ones.

《七号桌的客人》 The Guest at Table Seven
HSK 1 ~5 min read 396 chars
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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.

  • 老先生天天都坐在七号桌子前。

    The old gentleman sits at Table 7 every day.

  • 天天都是这个时候。

    It is always this time every day.

《小大学和大小学》 Big and Small Schools
HSK 1 ~1 min read 78 chars
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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。

    All students go to school.

《五个苹果三块钱》 Five Apples, Three Yuan
HSK 1 ~1 min read 57 chars
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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。

    All five of these apples are Chinese apples.

《一二三(2)》 Counting Days and Rhymes
HSK 1 ~2 min read 84 chars
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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。

    Every day is beautiful.

《星期七》 The Week Without Seven
HSK 1 ~2 min read 82 chars
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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。

    Sunday—both 星期天 and 星期日 are acceptable names.

《你也在想我吗》 Do You Miss Me Too?
HSK 1 ~2 min read 128 chars
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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.

  • 小雨,小雨,你也在想我吗?

    I miss you every single day.

《一二三 住医院》 Hospital Days, Pricey Plates
HSK 1 ~2 min read 107 chars
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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。

    They charge you for everything, and none of it even tastes good.

《小时怎么小?》 The Small Hour Riddle
HSK 1 ~1 min read 57 chars
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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?

    Are all teachers very old?

《这还是茶馆儿吗?》 Teahouse or Cinema?
HSK 3 ~3 min read 325 chars
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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。

    Now the people who go there are all from out of town; very few are old Beijingers.

《我的家人(1)》 My Family Members
HSK 1 ~2 min read 116 chars
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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。

    Grandpa and Grandma on Dad's side, and Grandpa and Grandma on Mom's side—they all love me, and I love them too.

《三号病房的苹果》 The Apple in Ward Three
HSK 1 ~3 min read 191 chars
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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.

  • 家人都不在,要多吃水果。”

    "None of your family is here, so you should eat more fruit."

《哪里哪里!》 Where is 'Where'?
HSK 1 ~6 min read 432 chars
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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。

    Shanghai college students say both 'nǎlǐ' and 'nǎr'.

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