How to use 个个、天天
(Topic / Subject +) Measure Word + Measure Word + (都 +) Predicate
Repeating certain measure words distributes a statement across all members of a group. 个个 highlights each individual, while forms such as 件件 or 本本 use the classifier appropriate to the things being discussed. The group is often established earlier in the sentence, so the repeated classifier can stand for its members without repeating the noun.
天天 and 次次 extend the same idea to days and occasions. 都 frequently follows a repeated classifier to reinforce that the description applies throughout the group, although it is not compulsory in every expression. Learn established combinations rather than assuming every classifier sounds equally natural when doubled. The choice depends on what is being counted.
Examples with pinyin and English
这些学生个个都很认真。
Every one of these students is very conscientious.
个个 distributes the description across the students.
她天天坐地铁上班。
She takes the subway to work every day.
天天 expresses a repeated action on each day.
这些衬衫件件都太大了。
Every one of these shirts is too big.
件件 uses the clothing classifier to include each shirt.
What to remember
- Use a classifier that matches the noun.
- 都 often follows the repeated classifier.
- 天天 refers to every day.
Practise the pattern
Use one example as a model. Change the people, objects or situation, keeping the grammar pattern in the same order. Read the explanation again to check how your sentence uses the construction.
Look up the grammar words
Source and editorial notes
Explanation and examples written for Laowai using the grammar curriculum as a topic reference. The original curriculum credits AllSet Learning’s Chinese Grammar Wiki as used with permission. Read the retained source credits.
Difficulty labels describe the level of the explanation; they are not official HSK placement. Send a correction with this page’s URL.