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Expressing "already" with 都 (dōu)
HSK 3Aspect & Tense
Emphasis
Structure
都 + Time/Situation + 了
Explanation
The adverb 都 (dōu) can be used to emphasize that something has already happened, often conveying a tone of impatience or surprise at how far things have progressed. It highlights that a situation has reached a certain point. For example, 都十点了 means "It's already ten o'clock."
Examples
都下午三点了，你还没吃午饭？
Dōu xiàwǔ sān diǎn le, nǐ hái méi chī wǔfàn?
It's already 3 PM and you still haven't eaten lunch?
都这么大的人了，别老让妈妈操心。
Dōu zhème dà de rén le, bié lǎo ràng māma cāoxīn.
You're already such a grown-up, stop making Mom worry all the time.
饭都凉了，快来吃吧。
Fàn dōu liáng le, kuài lái chī ba.
The food has already gotten cold, come eat quickly.