nǐmen dōu zài jiā ma?

question particle

Breakdown of nǐmen dōu zài jiā ma?

• 在zài: to be at
• 家jiā: home
• 都dōu: all

Questions & Answers about nǐmen dōu zài jiā ma?

What does the adverb 都 (dōu) do here? Does it always mean “all”?

It marks that every member of the group referenced by 你们 is included—so it means “all” (or “both” if there are two). In this sentence, it scopes over the subject: “you all.” Note: 都 can also mean “even” in patterns like 连…都…, but here it’s simply “all.”

Where does 都 go in the sentence? Can I move it?

Place 都 after the subject and before the predicate/verb phrase.

• Correct: 你们都在家吗？
• Also fine with time/topic first: 今天你们都在家吗？ / 你们今天都在家吗？
• Incorrect: 你们在都家吗？, 你们都在家吗？ (this one is actually the correct one; don’t move 都 after 在 or to the end).

Do I have to use 都? What changes if I drop it?

Without 都, 你们在家吗？ just asks whether you (plural) are at home; it doesn’t highlight totality. With 都, you’re asking whether every member of the group is at home.

How do I answer this naturally (yes/no/partly)?

• Yes (all): 在。/ 我们都在(家)。/ 对，(我们)都在。
• No (none): 都不在。/ 不在。
• Partly: 不都在。/ 有的在，有的不在。