What does 都 mean in Chinese?

都 (dōu) means "all; both; entirely; (used for emphasis) even; already; (not) at all" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 1.

How do you pronounce 都?

都 is pronounced "dōu" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 1.

What HSK level is 都?

都 is an HSK 1 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 1 on both the old and the new exam.

What words contain the character 都?

Common words with 都 include 全都 (all), 上都 (Shangdu, also known as Xanadu, summer capital of the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368)), 中都 (Zhongdu, capital of China during the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234), modern day Beijing), 京都 (Kyoto, Japan), 京都 (capital (of a country)).

How do you write 都?

都 has 10 strokes. Its radical is 阝. You can view the stroke order animation on our stroke order tool.

都 (dōu), all

都

dōu

all; both; entirely; (used for emphasis) even

HSK 110 strokes

Character Breakdown

都 = 者 + 阝

All people of the city — everything

Radical: 阝 (no. 170)Strokes: 10

View stroke order →

Definitions

all
both
entirely
(used for emphasis) even
already
(not) at all

Example Sentences

我们都去。

Wǒmen dōu qù

We all go

Words Containing 都

Word	Pinyin	Meaning	HSK
全都	quán dōu	all	HSK 4
上都	Shàng dū	Shangdu, also known as Xanadu, summer capital of the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368)
中都	Zhōng dū	Zhongdu, capital of China during the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234), modern day Beijing
京都	Jīng dū	Kyoto, Japan
京都

Related Words

幵(qiān)· even level. to raise in both hands

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Grammar Notes

Because/So (因为...所以)HSK 2

因为 + Reason, 所以 + Result

Although (虽然...但是)HSK 2

虽然 + Concession, 但是/可是 + Contrast

Experience with 过HSK 2

Subject + Verb + 过 (+ Object)

From...To (从...到)HSK 2

从 + Starting Point + 到 + Ending Point

Suggestion with 吧HSK 2

Statement/Suggestion + 吧

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 1
HSK 2.0: HSK 1
HSK Lord study list: HSK 1 list

都: HSK 1 on both the old and the new exam. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 1 exam

Studying for HSK 1? Keep 都 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each character comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free The words new HSK 1 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.