Advanced usages of the contrary "dao"
Contents
Indicating A Rebuking Tone with 倒
When using 倒 this way, link it together with a 得.When using this, usually the speaker has a rebuking tone. It's like saying "what you're saying is the opposite." In other words, something is not as said.
Structure
This grammar pattern is most commonly used with 说, sometimes with 想. 主语限于“你、你们、他、他们”等第二或者第三人称。多用于责备他人。
Subj. + Verb + 得 + 倒 + Adj.
Examples
- 说 得 倒 容易，那 你 来 ！It's easy for you to just say it. You should give it a try!
- 你 想 得 倒 美 ！不 工作 还 想 拿 工资 ？You must be talking when you sleep. You want to get paid without doing your job?
- 你 想 得 倒 简单 ！怎么 可能 ？What you thought is too simple! How could that be possible?
Giving An Emphasis with 倒
Used in An Affirmative Sentence
倒 is mostly used with adjectives in this case to indicate the speaker is a little surprised.
Subj. + 倒 + Adj.
A few examples:
- 这 个 小 女孩 倒 挺 勇敢 的 。This little girl is quite brave.
- 你 倒 蛮 会 说话 的 。You're pretty good at talking.
A useful little phrase to admit concession is 那倒也是, something like "I guess so, I hadn't thought of it like that before." Or if on the contrary you are unwilling to concede, the phrases below can be used:
Used in A Negative Sentence
It's mostly used in these two pattens below:
- ⋯⋯ ，我 倒 不 觉得 。
- ⋯⋯ ，我 倒 不 这么 + 看 / 想 / 认为 。
A few examples:
- 你们 都 说 这个 菜 太辣了 ，我 倒 不 觉得 。You all said this dish is spicy, but I disagree.
- 别人 都 说 他 跟 她 结婚 是 为了 钱 ，我 倒 不 这么 看 。 A lot of people think that he married her because of her money, but I don't think so.
- 很 多 人 认为 钱 是 最 重要 的 ，我 倒 不 这么 想 。 A lot of people think that money is the most important, but I don't think so.
Using 倒是 in An Imperative Sentence
This pattern is used to urge somebody to response quickly.
Structure
你 + 倒是 + Verb + 呀 / 啊
Examples
- 你 倒是 说话 呀 ！Please say something!
- 你 倒是 说 呀 ！Please tell me!
- 你 倒是 走 啊 ！Walk with me, please!
- 你们 倒是 签 啊 ！ Please sign it! (Why are you hesitating?)
