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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing "already" with adverb 都 (dōu)

    HSK 3
    Aspect & Tense
    Emphasis

    Structure

    Subject + 都 + Verb/Situation + 了

    Explanation

    When 都 (dōu) is used as an adverb meaning "already," it emphasizes that the current state of affairs has progressed further than expected. It adds an emotional nuance of impatience or exasperation. For example, 你都说了三遍了 means "You've already said it three times."

    Examples

    • 你都迟到五次了，下次注意点。

      Nǐ dōu chídào wǔ cì le, xià cì zhùyì diǎn.

      You've already been late five times, be more careful next time.

    • 都等了一个小时了，他怎么还没来？

      Dōu děng le yí ge xiǎoshí le, tā zěnme hái méi lái?

      We've already been waiting for an hour, why hasn't he come yet?

    • 我都跟你说过了，你怎么又忘了？

      Wǒ dōu gēn nǐ shuō guò le, nǐ zěnme yòu wàng le?

      I already told you, how did you forget again?

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    Expressing "already" with adverb 都 (dōu) | Chinese Grammar