也都 (also all)

• Pinyin: yě dōu
• Formation: Subject + 也都 (+ 不/没) + Predicate
• Hanzi breakdown: 也 = pictographic character originally depicting a vessel, 都 = 者 (that which) + 阝(city)

Meaning

也都 combines 也 (also) and 都 (all) to express that a group collectively shares a characteristic that was previously mentioned about another group. The fixed word order is always 也 before 都 in Chinese.

The combination 也都 follows the strict Chinese adverb ordering rule where 也 always precedes 都 — reversing them to 都也 is incorrect. This pattern is especially useful when making comparative statements about multiple groups, indicating that one group shares all the same traits as another. In negative sentences, 不 or 没 comes after 也都 (e.g., 也都没有). While 也 and 都 can each appear independently, combining them creates a stronger inclusive meaning. This pattern frequently appears after 除了...以外 constructions meaning 'besides X, everyone else also all...'

Examples

1. 我的朋友们也都喜欢看电影。 My friends also all like watching movies.
2. 这些问题我们也都讨论过了。 We have also discussed all of these questions.
3. 他的家人也都住在上海。 His family members also all live in Shanghai.

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, written, everyday

Tone: inclusive

Do Say

• 除了小王，其他人也都同意了这个方案。
• 我们公司的员工也都参加了培训。
• 南方的城市也都开始下雪了。

Don't Say

• 他们都也喜欢吃火锅。(也 must come before 都 — the fixed order is 也都, not 都也) → 他们也都喜欢吃火锅。
• 她们也都没不高兴。(Avoid double negation 没不 with 也都 — say 也都很高兴 for the positive meaning, or 也都不高兴 for 'all unhappy') → 她们也都很高兴。

Origin & History

The combination of 也 (also) and 都 (all) follows Chinese strict adverb ordering rules where 也 always precedes 都. This fixed order reflects the logical scope — 'also' modifies the entire 'all do X' statement.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal