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

Doubled Measure Words 个个, 张张

Double a measure word, as in 个个 or 张张, to say “every single one” with no exceptions.

Pattern

noun (topic) + measure word × 2 + 都 + predicate (学生个个都…, 照片张张都…)

个个都 means “every single one, no exceptions”, and it always comes before the verb.

她拍的照片张张都很好看。

When to use Doubled Measure Words 个个, 张张

Say a measure word twice and it means “every single one”: 个个 “every one (of these people or things)”, 张张 “every sheet, every photo”. It comes after the group you are talking about and before the verb or adjective, usually followed by 都: 学生个个都很认真. It stresses that there are no exceptions, so it is common when praising or describing a whole group.

我们班的同学个个都很努力。

Every single student in our class works hard.

这些苹果个个都很甜。

Every one of these apples is sweet.

他借给我的书本本都很有意思。

Every book he lent me is interesting.

我爸爸天天早上跑步。

My dad goes running every morning.

Common traps

  • Don’t put a doubled measure word after the verb: say 这些照片我张张都喜欢 or 我喜欢每张照片, not 我喜欢张张照片.
  • Match the measure word to the noun: books are 本本, clothes 件件, photos 张张. Don’t use 个个 for everything.
  • Keep 都 after the doubled measure word: 同学们个个都很好 sounds natural, while dropping 都 often sounds unfinished.

Targeted drill

Practice this exact pattern before moving on.

这些学生 都很认真

Every one of these students is diligent
Fill in the missing piece, then press Enter

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