都 dōu / dū — all; both (if two things are involved); entirely (due to)each; even; already; (surname)
我们都喜欢音乐。Wǒ men dōu xǐ huan yīn yuè.We all like music.
Common words: 首都 (shǒu dū)、全都 (quán dōu)、大都 (dà dōu)
Meaning Index
Chinese characters meaning "each"
Learn Chinese characters with the meaning "each", including 都 (dōu / dū), 各 (gè), 每 (měi), 历 (lì), 皆 (jiē). Study pinyin, English meanings…
How to Study This Meaning Group
The English word "each" covers 5 different Chinese characters — 都 (dōu / dū), 各 (gè), 每 (měi), 历 (lì), 皆 (jiē) — and each is its own word with its own feel. These 5 characters do not share a sound — their readings span dōu, dū, gè, měi, lì, jiē — so confirm the pinyin and tone for each one separately. The example sentences further down show how 都 and the others are actually used, so you learn them in context rather than as a single translation.
- 都 dōu / dūall; both (if two things are involved); entirely (due to)each; even; already; (surname)Useful words: 首都, 全都
- 各 gèeach; everyUseful words: 各位, 各种
- 每 měieach; everyUseful words: 每当, 每逢
- 历 lìcalendar; to experience; to undergo; to pass through; all; eachUseful words: 历史, 经历
- 皆 jiēall; each and every; in all casesUseful words: 比比皆是, 皆可
Common words for these 5 "each" characters
Anchor each of these 5 characters in a word you can picture — start with 都 (dōu / dū) — so "each" turns into concrete usage instead of a one-to-one translation.
首都shǒu dūcapital (city)全都quán dōuall; without exception大都dà dōufor the most part; on the whole各位gè wèieverybody; all (guests, colleagues etc); all of you各种gè zhǒngevery kind of; all kinds of; various各地gè dìin all parts of (a country); various regions每当měi dāngwhenever; every time每逢měi féngevery time; on each occasion; whenever每人měi réneach person; everybody; per person历史lì shǐhistory
See each character in a sentence
Each character below is shown in a short example sentence with pinyin and an English translation — the quickest way to feel the difference between the 5 ways to say "each".
各 gè — each; every
各个国家有不同的文化。Gè gè guó jiā yǒu bù tóng de wén huà.Each country has a different culture.
Common words: 各位 (gè wèi)、各种 (gè zhǒng)、各地 (gè dì)
每 měi — each; every
我每天早上都喝一杯牛奶。Wǒ měi tiān zǎo shang dōu hē yì bēi niú nǎi.I drink a glass of milk every morning.
Common words: 每当 (měi dāng)、每逢 (měi féng)、每人 (měi rén)
历 lì — calendar; to experience; to undergo; to pass through; all; each
这是一段难忘的经历。Zhè shì yí duàn nán wàng de jīng lì.This is an unforgettable experience.
Common words: 历史 (lì shǐ)、经历 (jīng lì)、简历 (jiǎn lì)
皆 jiē — all; each and every; in all cases
一年之计在于春，万物皆有生机。Yì nián zhī jì zài yú chūn, wàn wù jiē yǒu shēng jī.The plan for the year starts in spring, when all things are full of life.
Common words: 比比皆是 (bǐ bǐ jiē shì)、皆可 (jiē kě)、皆然 (jiē rán)
All 5 characters
Open 都、各、每 or any character below to hear it read aloud and see it used in an example sentence.