měi

Expressing "every" with "mei"

每 means "every", takes a measure word, and normally pulls a 都 in front of the verb.

每 + Measure Word (+ Noun) + 都 + Verb

How it works

每个人都有手机 — everyone has a phone. The 都 is not optional in most sentences; 每 sets up a set, and 都 sweeps across it.

A few time words absorb the measure word: 每天, 每年, 每星期. Others keep it: 每个月, 每个星期.

Examples

  • měi gè rén dōu yǒu shǒu jī

    每个人都有手机。

    Everyone has a phone.

  • wǒ měi tiān dōu pǎo bù

    我每天都跑步。

    I run every day.

  • měi gè yuè tā dōu qù běi jīng

    每个月他都去北京。

    He goes to Beijing every month.

Common mistakes

  • Dropping 都 sounds incomplete to a native ear.