The set pattern “都……了”

The pattern “都……了” (dōu... le) shows that a time or a state has already reached a certain point.

It usually carries a tone of: emphasis impatience urging someone on

Core meaning

都 + ... + 了

It is usually rendered as: “it's already …” “it's got to … already” “…, and still …”

都(Dōu)12点(shí)了(èr)，我(diǎn)们(le)吃(wǒ)饭(men)吧(chī)。

It's already twelve — let's eat.

都 + 12点 + 了 already + twelve o'clock + 了

都(dōu)12点(shí)了(èr)it's already twelve

我(wǒ)们(men)吃(chī)饭(fàn)吧(ba)let's eat

Here 都……了 stresses how late it has got.

都(Dōu)8点(bā)半(diǎn)了(bàn)，你(le)还(nǐ)不(hái)起(bù)床(qǐ)吗(chuáng)？

It's already half past eight — are you still not getting up?

都 + 8点半 + 了 already + half past eight + 了

都(dōu)8点(bā)半(diǎn)了(bàn)it's already half past eight

你(nǐ)还(hái)不(bù)起(qǐ)床(chuáng)吗(ma)？are you still not getting up?

This sentence carries impatience, or a push to hurry.

我(Wǒ)都(dōu)去(qù)过(guo)北(Běi)京(jīng)了(le)，不(bù)想(xiǎng)再(zài)去(qù)了(le)。

I've already been to Beijing — I don't want to go again.

我 + 都 + 去过北京 + 了 I + already + have been to Beijing + 了

我(wǒ)I

都(dōu)去(qù)过(guo)北(Běi)京(jīng)了(le)have already been to Beijing

不(bù)想(xiǎng)再(zài)去(qù)了(le)don't want to go again

Here 都……了 stresses more strongly that it has already happened.

都 + ... + 了

Meaning: a time, state or event has already reached a certain point. It is most often used to emphasise, to complain, or to hurry someone along.

都12点了 — it's already twelve 都8点半了 — it's already half past eight 我都去过北京了 — I've already been to Beijing