Usage of 每 (měi)
The character 每 is a common quantifier meaning "each" or "every," used to indicate repetition or distribution over units such as people, days, or events. It often precedes measure words or time expressions to express frequency or universality.
Common contexts
- Each individual or item: 每个人 (each person), 每本书 (each book).
- Regular time intervals: 每天 (every day), 每周 (every week), 每小时 (every hour).
- Repeated events: 每次 (every time), 每年 (every year).
Collocations and patterns
- 每 + measure word + noun: emphasizes every single unit.
- 每 + time expression: indicates frequency.
- 每次 + verb phrase: highlights repetition of an action.
Nuances
Using 每 implies a sense of regularity or universality. It differs from 诸 (all) or 所有 (all) by focusing on distribution over units rather than totality. Avoid confusing 每 with 很 (very) or 都 (all), which have different grammatical roles.
Common confusion
Don't confuse 每 with '都' which means 'all' or 'both' and often appears after the subject. 每 always precedes the noun or time expression it modifies.