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HSK 2.0 Level 3+ HSK 3.0 Level 2+ 5 min read

都...了 for “Already”

Use 都...了 to stress that it is already late, a lot, or a certain point, often with surprise or impatience.

Pattern

都 + time / amount / situation + 了

都...了 means “already”, with a feeling that it is late, a lot, or past the point you expected.

都十点了，你怎么还不起床？

When to use 都...了 for “Already”

Put 都 before a time, an age, an amount or a situation, and end that part with 了. The meaning is close to 已经 (already), but 都 adds feeling: the speaker thinks it is late, a lot, or more than expected.

都十二点了，快去睡觉吧。

It’s already twelve. Hurry up and go to bed.

你都十八岁了，应该自己洗衣服了。

You’re already eighteen. You should wash your own clothes.

我都等了一个小时了，他还没来。

I’ve already waited an hour, and he still hasn’t come.

都下午了，我还没吃午饭呢。

It’s already afternoon, and I still haven’t had lunch.

Common traps

  • Don’t drop the 了; 都十点 alone does not give the meaning “already ten”.
  • Don’t use 才 here: 才 shows the opposite feeling (“only, as early as”).
  • 都 goes before the time or amount, not after it: say 都十点了, not 十点都了.

Targeted drill

Practice this exact pattern before moving on.

下午了，我还没吃午饭呢

It’s already afternoon, and I still haven’t had lunch
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