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Lesson

Flexible Question Words (谁都 / 什么都)

1. Explain it simply

Question word + 都 covers all cases: 什么都 = everything, 谁都 = everyone.

Say the question word first, then 都, then the verb.

With 不 or 没 it becomes 'none': 谁都不认识他 = no one knows him.

Keep 都 right after the question word; don't drop or move it.

2. Show examples

他什么都知道。

Tā shénme dōu zhīdào.

He knows everything.

everything

谁都不认识他。

Shéi dōu bù rènshi tā.

Sandhi:Shéi dōu bú rènshi tā.

No one knows him.

no one

我什么都想吃。

Wǒ shénme dōu xiǎng chī.

I want to eat anything.

anything

我哪儿都不想去。

Wǒ nǎr dōu bù xiǎng qù.

I don't want to go anywhere.

nowhere

3. Share a tip

都 must stay right after the question word - moving it breaks the 'any / every' meaning.

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