Expressing contrariness with "dao"

Level

B2 / HSK4
Level

B2
Level

HSK4
Similar to
- Expressing "on the contrary" with "fan'er" (B2)
- The "however" adverb "que" (B2)
Similar to
- The "however" adverb "que" (HSK4)
- Expressing "on the contrary" with "fan'er" (HSK5)
Used for

Contrasting
Keywords

倒

倒 (dào) can be used to express something is contrary to expectations, acting as a turning point in the sentence. It is generally followed by a positive comment.

Using 倒 as "However"

倒 can be used to express an unexpected situation. Note that 倒 is often followed by 也 or 又 to add further emphasis.

Structure

⋯⋯ ，Subj. + 倒 + (也 / 又) ⋯⋯

Examples

他不是很努力，成绩倒也不错。He's not vey hard-working, but his score isn't bad.
已经是春天了，倒又冷起来了。It's already spring, but it's getting cold.
不吃药，病倒慢慢好了。I didn't take any medicine, but I'm getting better.
英语不是他的母语，他说得倒挺地道的。English is not his mother language, but he speaks quite like a native speaker.

Using 倒 as "Despite"

Structure

倒 can also be used to express a concession, mostly emphasizing the positive side. 就是、但是、可是、不过 is often used to emphasize undesirable things.

Subj. + 倒 ⋯⋯ ，不过 / 但是 / 就是 ⋯⋯

Examples

这篇文章的内容倒不错，就是太长了。The content of this article is great, but it's a little too long.
这件衣服的样式和大小倒都合适，可是我不喜欢这个颜色。The style and size if this piece of clothes fit me well, but I don't like its color.
你们的服务倒不错，但是对我来说太贵了。Your service is great, but it's too expensive to me.
我倒想陪你一起去，不过要等到周末。I want to come with you, but you need to wait until this weekend.

For more on 倒, be sure to check our C1 (advanced) grammar point on expressing contrariness with 倒.

Sources and further reading

Books

Expressing contrariness with "dao"

Contents

Using 倒 as "However"

Structure

Examples

Using 倒 as "Despite"

Structure

Examples

See also

Sources and further reading

Books