什么……都 (shénme... dōu) is a pattern often used to express "all" or "everything." Because it's not just one word, though, it can be a little tricky to get the hang of at first.
Basic Usage
Structure
In this structure, 都 (dōu) is more frequently used than 也 (yě)。
Topic (+ Subj.) + 什么 + 都 / 也 + Verb / Adj.
In some sentences, there will be a subject after the topic in the pattern above. See the following sentences for examples.
Examples
When used in the positive sense, it is more natural to follow 什么 (shénme) with 都 (dōu) rather than 也 (yě) to express "everything."
- 我 觉得 这里 的 菜 什么 都 好吃。Wǒ juéde zhèlǐ de cài shénme dōu hǎochī.I think everything is delicious here.
- 中国 的 历史 爸爸 什么 都 知道。Zhōngguó de lìshǐ bàba shénme dōu zhīdào.My dad knows everything about Chinese history.
- 工作 的 事情 老公 什么 都 跟 我 说。Gōngzuò de shìqing lǎogōng shénme dōu gēn wǒ shuō.My husband tells me everything about work stuff.
- 妈妈 做 的 菜 我 什么 都 喜欢。Māma zuò de cài wǒ shénme dōu xǐhuan.I like everything that mom cooks.
- 我女朋友 觉得 外国 的 东西 什么 都 好。Wǒ nǚpéngyou juéde wàiguó de dōngxi shénme dōu hǎo.My girlfriend thinks that all foreign things are good.
Structure with a Noun
Structure
Examples
- 我们 什么 果汁 都 喝。Wǒmen shénme guǒzhī dōu hē.We drink any kind of fruit juice.
- 她 什么 衣服 都 是 黑色 的。Tā shénme yīfu dōu shì hēisè de.All of her clothes are black.
- 妈妈 做 的 什么 菜 都 好吃。Māma zuò de shénme cài dōu hǎochī.All of the dishes mom makes are tasty.
- 我男朋友 什么 运动 都 喜欢。Wǒ nánpéngyou shénme yùndòng dōu xǐhuan.My boyfriend likes all kinds of sports.
- 你 不 应该 什么 话 都 跟 他 说。Nǐ bù yīnggāi shénme huà dōu gēn tā shuō.You shouldn't tell him everything.
Negative Structure
Structures
The negative structure simply adds a 不 (bù) or a 没 (méi) after the 都 (dōu) / 也 (yě). Instead of "all" or "everything," this expresses "none" or "not any."
什么 + Noun + 都 / 也 + 不 + Verb
什么 + Noun + 都 / 也 + 没 (有) + Verb
Examples
- 生病 以后，爸爸 什么 酒 都 不 能 喝 了。Shēngbìng yǐhòu, bàba shénme jiǔ dōu bù néng hē le.After dad got sick, he can't drink any kind of alcohol.
- 老板 现在 很 生气，什么 人 也 不 见。Lǎobǎn xiànzài hěn shēngqì, shénme rén yě bù jiàn. The boss is very angry. He's doesn't want to see anybody.
- 今天 我 不 舒服，什么 东西 都 没 吃。Jīntiān wǒ bù shūfu, shénme dōngxi dōu méi chī.Today I don't feel well, so I didn't eat anything.
- 昨天 开会 的时候，她 什么 话 也 没 说。Zuótiān kāihuì de shíhou, tā shénme huà yě méi shuō.She didn't say anything at yesterday's meeting.
- 你 在 家里 怎么 什么 事 都 不 做？Nǐ zài jiālǐ zěnme shénme shì dōu bù zuò? How come you haven't done anything at home?
See Also
Sources and further reading
Books
Category:A2 grammar points