Definitions
(adverb)
all; both; entirely; even
(noun)
capital city; metropolis
About
The character "都" is structurally composed of two primary elements, with its right side being the radical 邑, which denotes a settlement or city, and its left side historically being 者, which may have originally indicated a gathering. This combination gave the character its core early meaning of a significant human settlement, specifically a capital city or major administrative center. Over time, its semantic scope broadened significantly from this concrete noun to also function as an adverb meaning "all" or "entirely", a conceptual extension likely stemming from the idea of a capital encompassing or representing the totality of a realm. The traditional form maintains these original components, while the simplified form streamlines the left-hand element. Its modern usage consistently retains this dual function, referring both to metropolitan areas and expressing a collective or comprehensive sense.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我们都很高兴。
你们都是我的朋友。
这些书都很有意思。
他什么都会做。
现在都已经太晚了。
连小孩子都知道这个故事。
无论刮风还是下雨，我都会去。
这件事你都不知道，就太不应该了。