每次⋯⋯ 都⋯⋯ (měi cì... dōu...) is a pattern used to express "every time." Translating from English, you might feel that the only part really needed is 每次 (měi cì), since it literally means "every time." This is incorrect! Not only is the adverb 都 (dōu) required, but it's arguably more vital than the 每次 (měi cì)! So it's important to get used to using both parts.

Structure

This pattern actually builds on the basic 每……都…… pattern, which you should already know. In this grammar structure, we go beyond just saying things like "every person" or "every day," and focus on what happens every time a certain action is done.

Examples

她每次来我家都带花。 Tā měi cì lái wǒ jiā dōu dài huā. She brings flowers every time she visits me.
为什么每次我来他都不在？ Wèishénme měi cì wǒ lái tā dōu bù zài? How come he's not here every time I come?
我每次玩这个游戏都输。 Wǒ měi cì wán zhège yóuxì dōu shū. Every time I play this game, I lose.
你怎么每次吃火锅都拉肚子？ Nǐ zěnme měicì chī huǒguō dōu lādùzi? How come you have diarrhea every time you eat hotpot?
他每次迟到都说因为堵车。 Tā měicì chídào dōu shuō yīnwèi dǔchē. Every time he's late, he would say it's because of traffic jam.
我每次经过这家店都会进去看看。 Wǒ měi cì jīngguò zhè jiā diàn dōu huì jìnqù kànkan. Every time I pass this shop, I go inside and take a look.
我妹妹每次打针都哭。 Wǒ mèimei měicì dǎzhēn dōu kū. My little sister cries every time she has to get a shot.
每次遇到生词他都要查字典。 Měi cì yùdào shēngcí tā dōu yào chá zìdiǎn. Every time he comes across a new word, he looks it up in the dictionary.
每次编辑都要保存。 Měi cì biānjí dōu yào bǎocún. Every time you edit, you should save it.
爸爸每次出差都给我买礼物。 Bàba měi cì chūchāi dōu gěi wǒ mǎi lǐwù. My father buys presents for me every time he goes on business trips.

Expressing "every time" with "mei" and "dou"

Contents

Structure

Examples

See also

Sources and further reading

Books