Meaning
凡是 is a formal adverb meaning 'all' or 'any' that introduces a general statement about everything within a certain category. It emphasizes that there are no exceptions to what follows. Often used in the pattern 凡是...都... (whatever... all...) to make sweeping, universal statements.
Usage
凡是 is more formal and emphatic than 所有 (suǒyǒu). It typically appears at the beginning of a clause and is almost always paired with 都 (dōu) later in the sentence to complete the universal statement. Common in written Chinese, official announcements, and formal speech. Native speakers use it when they want to stress that a rule or condition applies without exception.
Examples
- 01凡是参加比赛的人都要提前报名。.Anyone who participates in the competition must register in advance.
- 02凡是他说的话，我都相信。, .I believe everything he says.
Characters
Common collocations
- 凡是...都...... ...all... (without exception)
- 凡是...的人...anyone who...
- 凡是...的事...anything that...
Origin
凡 originally meant 'ordinary' or 'worldly,' but came to mean 'all' or 'every' in classical Chinese. Combined with 是, it creates an emphatic 'all that is' construction that has been used since ancient times to make universal statements.