倒是

dào shi

HSK 3.0 Level 6 Adverb Uncommon

Definitions

1. contrary to what one might expect
2. actually
3. contrariwise
4. why don't you

Word relationships

Related words

2 items

• 实际上 shí jì shàng 实际上 shí jì shàng in fact Actually, in reality: in fact
• 却 què 却 què but However, contrary to expectation: but

Synonyms

1 item

• 反而 fǎn ér 反而 fǎn ér on the contrary; instead Contrary to expectations: on the contrary; instead

Usage notes

Collocations

Often used in 'A倒是A，不过/但是...' pattern to concede a point before a contrasting statement, e.g., 好倒是好，就是太贵了.

Common mistakes

倒是 is not a simple 'actually' for correcting facts; it introduces a contrast or unexpected outcome, often with a concessive tone.

Example Sentences

1 shown

这东西好 倒是 好，可是太贵了。

This thing is good indeed, but it's too expensive.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 倒是

• 那倒是 那倒是 nà dào shi: Oh that's true! (interjection of sudden realization)
• 颠倒是非 颠倒是非 diān dǎo shì fēi: to invert right and wrong

Child Words of 倒是

• 倒 倒 dǎo: to fall; to collapse; to lie horizontally
• 倒 倒 dào: to invert; to place upside down or frontside back
• 是 是 shì: to be (followed by substantives only)