凡是
fán shì HSK 6

English Meaning

📚 Example Sentences

凡是学生都必须遵守校规。
Fánshì xuéshēng dōu bìxū zūnshǒu xiàoguī.
Every student must obey school rules.
凡是重要的文件都要备份。
Fánshì zhòngyào de wénjiàn dōu yào bèifèn.
Every important document must be backed up.
凡是来过这里的人都称赞它。
Fánshì láiguò zhèlǐ de rén dōu chēngzàn tā.
Everyone who has been here praises it.
凡是学生都学习。
Fán shì xuéshēng dōu xuéxí.
All students study.
凡是水果都好吃。
Fán shì shuǐguǒ dōu hǎochī.
All fruits are delicious.

💡 Memory Tip

Think of 凡是 as 'in all cases'—break it down: 凡 (fán) means 'ordinary' or 'every', and 是 (shì) means 'is', so together they imply 'everything that is' falls under a rule.

📝 Usage Notes

Used primarily in formal writing, speeches, or structured statements to set a sweeping premise, typically followed by a conclusion or result. It often appears at the beginning of a sentence to establish a condition that universally leads to an outcome, such as in rules, laws, or generalizations. Avoid in casual conversation where simpler terms like 都 (dōu) might be preferred.

📖 Grammar Points

Typically used in the pattern '凡是 + noun phrase/condition + 都/就/一定 + result' to express that the result applies to all cases. It functions as a conjunction linking a general condition to a consequence, often requiring a modal verb or adverb in the result clause. Can be paired with negative forms like 没有不 (méiyǒu bù) for double negation meaning 'all without exception'.

🏯 Cultural Notes

Reflects Chinese cultural values of collectivism and rule-based thinking, often used in legal, educational, or philosophical contexts to emphasize universal principles. It underscores the importance of order and predictability in social norms and systems.

🔄 Similar Words

Compared to 所有 (suǒyǒu) which means 'all' as an adjective (e.g., 所有人, all people), 凡是 is a conjunction that introduces a conditional clause. Compared to 每 (měi) meaning 'each' or 'every' in a distributive sense, 凡是 emphasizes a universal rule rather than individual items.

Master this word with quizzes, flashcards & more

Learn 凡是 in CILI →

Related Words