Cantonese Level UpCantonese Level UpLesson 33 · Connectors & Common Words
Same character as Mandarin 都 but pronounced dou1 — covers 'all', 'also', and 'even'.
For Mandarin Speakers
Cantonese 都 dou1 works almost identically to Mandarin 都 dōu. The pronunciation is different (dou1 vs dōu), and a few collocations differ, but the core meanings and grammar position are the same.
都 dou1 is one of the most common adverbs in Cantonese, just as in Mandarin. It always goes before the verb. The three main meanings are 'all', 'also', and 'even'.
'All' — Placed before the verb when the subject includes everyone/everything: 我哋都去 ngo5 dei6 dou1 heoi3 (we're all going). 佢哋都係香港人 keoi5 dei6 dou1 hai6 hoeng1 gong2 jan4 (they're all from Hong Kong). Same as Mandarin 我們都去.
'Also' — Indicates addition: 我都想去 ngo5 dou1 soeng2 heoi3 (I also want to go). 佢都係噉諗 keoi5 dou1 hai6 gam2 nam2 (he also thinks so). Mandarin uses 也 yě more often for 'also', but Cantonese uses 都 for both 'all' and 'also'.
'Even' — Used with question words for emphasis: 乜都唔知 mat1 dou1 m4 zi1 (doesn't know anything — lit. 'what all not know'). 邊度都去過 bin1 dou6 dou1 heoi3 gwo3 (been everywhere). 咩都食得 me1 dou1 sik6 dak1 (can eat everything). This is also similar to Mandarin 什麼都不知道.
Key difference from Mandarin: Cantonese does NOT use 也 yě. Where Mandarin would say 我也想去, Cantonese always uses 都: 我都想去. This is a very common mistake for Mandarin speakers.
Mandarin: 我們都喜歡吃點心
都 = all — same position and meaning as Mandarin
Mandarin: 我也想去
都 = also — Cantonese uses 都 where Mandarin uses 也
Mandarin: 什麼都不知道
Question word + 都 = 'even' / 'all' — emphatic universal
邊度都 = everywhere — question word + 都 for universals
都係噉 = also the same — a very common expression
Fill in the Blank
We all want to go: 我哋___想去 (Use Cantonese 'all')
Multiple Choice
How do you say 'I also like it' in Cantonese?
Translate
Translate: 'Can eat everything' (using 咩都)
Fill in the Blank
He doesn't know anything: 佢乜___唔知
Multiple Choice
What is the KEY difference between Mandarin and Cantonese usage of 都?