反倒

fǎn dào

HSK 2.0 Level 6 HSK 3.0 Level 7 Adverb Uncommon

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Definitions

1. but on the contrary
2. but expectedly

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Word relationships

Related words

1 item

• 可是 kě shì 可是 kě shì but; however 反倒是 means 'on the contrary', while 可是 means 'but'.: but; however

Synonyms

1 item

• 反而 fǎn ér 反而 fǎn ér on the contrary; instead Both mean 'on the contrary', but 反倒 is more colloquial and subjective.: on the contrary; instead

Usage notes

Collocations

Often used in patterns like 不但不...反倒... to express unexpected contrast.

Formality

反倒 is colloquial; avoid in formal writing.

Example Sentences

1 shown

他不但没生气， 反倒 笑了。

Not only did he not get angry, but on the contrary he laughed.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 反倒

• 倒 倒 dǎo: to fall; to collapse; to lie horizontally
• 倒 倒 dào: to invert; to place upside down or frontside back
• 反 反 fǎn: contrary