HSK 7
皆
jiē
皆 (all, every)
Explanation
皆 (jiē) is an adverb (a word that modifies a verb or adjective) meaning 'all, both', used to emphasize that every entity within a certain scope is the same; it is a formal/written usage (used in books and documents, rarely in speech), more formal than the colloquial 都 (dōu).
Subject (the person or thing performing, at the head of the sentence) + 皆 (jiē) + verb/adjective; it is often found in fixed phrases such as 人人皆知 (rén rén jiē zhī - everyone knows it), similar in meaning to 有目共睹.
in formal/written language, formal documents, idioms, and maxims; almost never used in everyday speech.
皆 (jiē) and 都 (dōu) both mean 'all', but 都 is used in natural colloquial speech, whereas 皆 fits only formal, concise writing.
using 皆 in everyday speech sounds very theatrical and unnatural; besides, 皆 must stand immediately before the verb/adjective and cannot be placed before the subject.
Examples
This is already a fact that everyone knows.
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Practice
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Learn “皆” effectively
The grammar point “皆” (皆 (all, every)) is one of the key structures at HSK 7. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
Study tip: read the examples aloud many times to build a natural reflex. Then try making your own sentences for your own situations. Use the audio button to hear and practice accurate pronunciation.
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