Object before verb with 都

Level 4Sounds Like dou1

To say 'every single one' of something in Cantonese, you often move the object to the front of the sentence, reduplicate its classifier (Cl-Cl), and follow it with the adverb 都 (dou1).

How It Works

In Cantonese, while you can use the formal word mui5 (每) for 'every', the most natural way to express this in spoken conversation is through classifier reduplication combined with object fronting. Note that mui5 is still required for complex phrases like 'every three months' (mui5 saam1 go3 jyut6), where reduplication is not possible.

1. The Mechanics of Reduplication
Similar to Mandarin, Cantonese doubles the classifier to mean 'every'. For example, to say 'every book', you take the classifier for books, bun2 (本), and double it: bun2-bun2 (每本).

2. The Tone Change (bin3 diu6)
To sound natural, you must apply a tone change to the second classifier. In most cases, the second syllable shifts to a high-rising Tone 2. For example, go3-go3 (every) is pronounced go3-go2, and bun2-bun2 is pronounced bun2-bun2 (since it is already Tone 2).

3. Noun Exceptions
A small group of nouns can be reduplicated directly without a classifier. These are mostly related to time, place, and people. Remember to apply the tone change to the second syllable:

  • jan4-jan2 (人人) - everyone
  • jat6-jat2 (日日) - every day
  • nin4-nin2 (年年) - every year
  • dou6-dou2 (度度) - everywhere
  • ci3-ci2 (次次) - every time

4. The Role of 都 (dou1) and Word Order
The adverb dou1 (都) is mandatory when using reduplicated classifiers. However, it is often optional for time-related exceptions like jat6-jat2 (every day). The quantified phrase must appear before the verb to function as the topic of the sentence.

  • Topic-Subject-Verb: 呢啲衫件件我都鍾意 (These clothes, every piece I like).
  • Subject-Object-Verb: 我件件衫都鍾意 (I like every piece of clothing).

Examples (4)

  1. 隻隻狗都好乖。

    Every dog is very well-behaved.

    Word by Word: CL-CL dog all very well-behaved

    Here, the classifier 隻 (zek3) is reduplicated to mean 'every dog'. The word 都 (dou1) is required to complete the 'every' meaning.

  2. 啲衫件件都咁貴。

    These clothes, every single piece is so expensive.

    Word by Word: These clothes CL-CL all so expensive

    The noun 'clothes' (衫 saam1) is introduced first, followed by the reduplicated classifier 件件 (gin6-gin6) to emphasize each individual item.

  3. 我本本書都睇過。

    I have read every one of the books.

    Word by Word: I CL-CL book all read [experiential]

    The object 'books' is fronted before the verb 睇 (tai2) and marked with 過 (gwo3) to show past experience.

  4. 幅幅畫都想買。

    [I] want to buy every painting.

    Word by Word: CL-CL painting all want buy

    Using the classifier 幅 (fuk1) for paintings. The subject 'I' is implied by context.

Common Mistakes

  • Leaving out 都 (dou1) after a reduplicated classifier.

    Different Meaning隻隻狗好乖。
    隻隻狗都好乖。

    隻隻狗好乖 is also heard in speech, but 都 (dou1) is the usual partner: it stresses 'every one, without exception'.

  • Reduplicating the noun instead of the classifier for most objects.

    書書都好睇。
    本本書都好睇。

    Unlike time words or 'person', you cannot reduplicate most nouns directly. You must reduplicate the classifier (e.g., bun2 for books) to express 'every'.

  • Placing the reduplicated object after the verb.

    我想要幅幅畫。
    幅幅畫我都想買。

    Reduplicated classifiers meaning 'every' must be fronted (placed before the verb). You cannot use them in the standard SVO object position.

How It Connects

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Object before verb with 都Level 4

Learn This First

To understand quantified object fronting, you first need to be comfortable with moving objects to the front of the sentence for emphasis. You also need to understand how the particle 都 functions as a universal quantifier ('all') and how it typically follows quantified phrases to include every item in the set.

Words in This Pattern