PM Translation #56: Practicing Universal Quantifiers in Mandarin

🌀 Pearls of Mandarin: Translation #56

Hello Mandarin Enthusiasts! 🌟

In this week’s lesson (CGG #57), we explored Mandarin’s versatile ways to express “all” and “every.” We covered how 都 (dōu) shows group participation, 什么都 (shénme dōu) emphasizes inclusivity, 所有 (suǒyǒu) specifies total inclusion, 每 (měi) focuses on individual instances, and 全/全部 (quán/quánbù) adds extra emphasis on completeness.

Now it’s time to practice!

Today’s translation exercises will help you internalize these structures so you can use them confidently in real conversations. We’ll progress from simple sentences to more complex expressions.

Remember, reading about grammar is one thing—but actually using it is how you truly learn. These exercises are designed to build your practical skills with these essential patterns.

Recap of CGG #57 lesson

• Using 都 (dōu) to show group participation: This structure emphasizes that every member of a previously mentioned group is involved in an action. It ensures that no one is left out.

• Using 什么都 (shénme dōu) for inclusivity: When paired with 什么 (shénme), 都 (dōu) stresses that every possible thing is included, rather than forming a question.

• Using 所有 (suǒyǒu) to specify ‘all’ items: Unlike 都 (dōu), which follows a topic, 所有 (suǒyǒu) directly modifies a noun to indicate total inclusion. It is often used in formal or written language. Adding 的 (de) can smooth the connection to the noun.

• Using 所有 (suǒyǒu) + 都 (dōu) for emphasis: Combining these two structures highlights that not only does everything exist, but each part actively participates in the action.

• Using 每 (měi) to indicate ‘every’ or ‘each’: This quantifier emphasizes that every individual item or person in a group is considered separately, ensuring that no single instance is overlooked. It often pairs with 都 (dōu) to stress that each one actively participates in the action.

• Using 全 (quán) and 全部 (quánbù) for stronger emphasis: These words add extra stress on totality. When placed before a noun, they function like 所有 (suǒyǒu), but when paired with 都 (dōu), they reinforce that every part of the group is involved.

Today’s Exercises

Translate these English sentences into Mandarin:

🍃 Easy

1. We all like dumplings.

2. Every morning, she drinks a cup of coffee.

🌿 Intermediate

3. He ate all the dumplings.

4. All the tickets for the concert were sold out.

🍀 Advanced

5. After the earthquake, all the buildings in the old town were severely damaged.

6. After years of research, all the scientist’s efforts finally paid off.

Take your time, and remember: practicing will help you sound more natural and confident in your Mandarin conversations. You’ve got this! 💫

🍃 Translation #1

We all like dumplings.

In this sentence, we’re expressing group participation where every member of a defined group (we) shares the same preference. The structure with 都 is perfect here because it emphasizes that each person in the group without exception participates in the action of “liking dumplings.” This pattern is essential when you want to show unanimous involvement or preference within a group.

📚 Structure: [Subject] + 都 + [Verb Phrase]

Let’s break down the translation step by step:

• 我们 (wǒmen) means “we.”

• 都 (dōu) means “all.”

  • 都 must come after the subject and before the verb.

  • It emphasizes that every single person in the group likes dumplings.

• 喜欢 (xǐhuan) means “to like.”

• 饺子 (jiǎozi) means “dumplings.”

Notes

• While 都 covers “all"“members of a group, it differs from 每个 (měi gè) which emphasizes “each and every” individual separately. For example: 每个人都喜欢饺子 would emphasize that “each person individually likes dumplings.”

• In spoken Mandarin, 都 is often emphasized with slightly stronger stress to highlight the completeness of participation.

Recap

• 我们都喜欢饺子。

• 我们 / 都 / 喜欢 / 饺子 。

• wǒmen dōu xǐhuan jiǎozi

• We all like dumplings.

• we / all / like / dumplings.

Audio Recordings

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🍃 Translation #2

Every morning, she drinks a cup of coffee.