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Advanced usages of the contrary 倒 ("dao3")

倒 dǎo

Adverb
HSK 5

Structure

Subj. + Verb + 得 + 倒 + Adj. Subj. + 倒 + Adj. 你 + 倒是 + Verb + 呀 / 啊

Definition

表示出乎意料或相反的语气，常用在复句中表示转折或让步。

Indicates unexpectedness or contrast, often used in complex sentences to express concession or adversative.

Usage

用于复句的后续分句，表示某事与预期相反或带有让步，常与'虽然、即使'等连用。也可单独使用表示意想不到。

Used in the following clause of a complex sentence to indicate something contrary to expectation or with a concessive meaning, often with 'although, even if'. Can also be used alone to express surprise.

Examples

  • 1 他虽然看起来严肃，倒也很幽默。(Although he looks serious, he is actually humorous.)
  • 2 你说得倒轻松，做起来可不容易。(You say it easily enough, but doing it is not easy.)
  • 3 我倒想看看他能有什么办法。(I'd like to see what he can do.)
  • 4 这里倒是个安静的地方。(This is quite a quiet place.)
  • 5 你倒提醒我了，我差点忘了。(You just reminded me; I almost forgot.)

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