3 advanced uses of “都” other than “all”

In its simplest terms, 都 (dōu) means "all", but there are also many other advanced uses for it.

“都（dōu）”字最基本的意思为“全部（all）”。但是，它还有其他的意思。

1. 都 meaning "to the point that"

“都”表示“达到某种程度（to the point that）”

都 can also mean 甚至, meaning "even to the point that", and in this form it expresses emphasis.

“都” 也有“甚至”的意思，表示“达到那种程度以至于…”，用于强调。

Subject + 都 + Predicate

主语+都+谓语

Examples:

例句：

wǒ dōu nénɡ wén dào miàn bāo de xiānɡ wèi.

我都能闻到面包的香味。

I can even smell the aroma of bread.

wǒ duì nǐ tài liáo jiě le, wǒ dōu nénɡ zhī dào nǐ xià yí bù yào zuò shén me.

我对你太了解了，我都能知道你下一步要做什么。

I understand you completely. I can even know what your next move is.

wǒ hěn xiǎnɡ mā mɑ, yǒu shí hou wǒ dōu nénɡ kàn jiàn tā.

我很想妈妈，有时候我都能看见她。

I really miss Mom. Sometimes I can even see her.

2. 都 meaning "since…, then…"

“都”表示“既然……那么……（since…, then…）

都 can also mean "既然…就", meaning "Since …, in that case…” A simple example would be 他都不说汉语，别跟他讲话, meaning "Since he does not speak Chinese, so don't talk with him."

“都”也可表示“既然…就（Since …, in that case…）”, 例如：“他都不说汉语，别跟他讲话。”，这句话的英文意思为“Since he does not speak Chinese, so don't talk with him”。

Examples:

例句：

tā dōu zhè me shuō le, nǐ hái hǎo yì si zài zhǎo tā bānɡ mánɡ?

他既然都这么说了，你还好意思再找他帮忙？

Even though he said that, you still have the guts to ask for his help?

jì rán dà jiā dōu lái le ,wǒ men jiù xiān zǒu le.

既然大家都来了，我们就先走了。

Since everyone got here, we need to go now.

3. 都 can also have a tone of complaint

“都”也可以表示抱怨

It often has a tone of grumbling or complaint, and it is often used with 怨 or 怪.

“都”通常隐含着抱怨的语气，常与“怨”、“怪”连用。

都 + 怨/是/怪/赖 + somebody

都+怨/是/怪/赖+某人

Examples:

例句：

dōu ɡuài nǐ, chū mén bú dài sǎn.

都怪你，出门不带伞。

It's all your fault, leaving without bringing an umbrella.

dōu shì nǐ, hài wǒ pǎo zhè me yuǎn.

都是你，害我跑这么远。

It's your fault for making me run so far.

dōu yuàn nǐ, bú tí qián dìnɡ hǎo zuò wèi.

都怨你，不提前订好座位。

I blame you for not making the reservation earlier in the day.

Translated from: tcfl.tingroom.com