全...都 (the whole/all)

• Pinyin: quán
• Formation: 全 + Noun + 都 + Predicate
• Hanzi breakdown: 全 = 入 (enter) + 王 (king/jade)

Meaning

The pattern 全 + Noun + 都 + Predicate is used to express that an entire group or entity without exception does something or has some quality. 全 means 'whole' or 'entire' and 都 reinforces the inclusive meaning.

In this pattern, 全 functions as an adjective modifying the noun to indicate totality, while 都 works as an adverb reinforcing that every part is included. Common combinations include 全家 (the whole family), 全班 (the whole class), 全国 (the whole country), 全世界 (the whole world), and 全身 (the whole body). While 都 is often required after 全 + noun to complete the pattern grammatically, in some formal or written contexts 都 can be dropped. This pattern differs from 所有...都 in that 全 emphasizes the completeness of one unit, while 所有 emphasizes every individual member of a set.

Examples

1. 全班同学都通过了期末考试。 The entire class passed the final exam.
2. 今天全家都在家吃晚饭。 Today the whole family is eating dinner at home.
3. 全国各地都能看到这个品牌的店。 You can see stores of this brand all across the country.

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, written, everyday

Tone: inclusive

Do Say

• 全公司的人都知道这个消息了。
• 全场观众都站起来鼓掌。
• 她全身上下都穿着红色的衣服。

Don't Say

• 全学生都来了。(全 modifies collective nouns like 班, 校, 家 — for individual nouns use 所有 instead: 所有学生都来了) → 全班学生都来了。
• 全家人来了都。(都 must come before the verb, not after — it is an adverb that precedes the predicate) → 全家人都来了。

Origin & History

The character 全 originally depicted a jade piece enclosed in a container, symbolizing completeness and wholeness. It has been used since ancient Chinese to express the concept of totality or entirety.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal