DOU-1

('dou' in the first tone)

Some 22 standard Chinese characters have a 'dou' pronunciation. Recurring sound-indicating character components are: 斗 (5 occurences), 豆 (6).

Several characters that are pronounced 'dou' have an alternative pronunciation as 'du'. The character 卖, which is spoken as 'mai(4) and means 'to sell'', is a component in three 'dou'-spoken characters.

都 = all

This character / morphem is never to be used together with a noun; NOT: all people, but just ALL

Another example:

Assume the question: Can this structure be called a house, or a building, or a hall?

The answer would be:

都可以 = dou(1) ke(3)yi(3) = All can be used (lit. all can)

Even when the question is: Can this structure be called a house or a building?

The answer would be:

都可以 = dou(1) ke(3)yi(3) = All can be used (lit. all can)

As long as the number of items referred to is at least two, they can be summarized as 都.

If 'all' is to be combined with a noun:

请拿全部东西来这里.= 

Qing(3) na(2) quan(2)bu(4) dong(1)xi(1) lai(2) zhe(4)li(3). = Please bring all things here.

Or:

请拿所有东西来这里.= 

Qing(3) na(2) suo(3)you(3) dong(1)xi(1) lai(2) zhe(4)li(3). = Please bring all things here.