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March 24, 2026
倒是()dàoshì(dao4shi4)
倒是 (dào shì) is used to express a contrast to a previous statement or expectation, often introducing an unexpected twist. It can mean 'actually' or 'on the contrary,' and is commonly used in conversations to provide a different perspective or to soften a disagreement.
Frequency#5040DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 倒是 reflects the value of indirect communication, where expressing a contrary opinion can be a way to show politeness and maintain harmony in discussions.
Memory Tip
Imagine someone tipping over a cup (倒) that spills the truth (是) all over the table. The unexpected spill makes you realize something new—this is how 倒是 brings out surprising insights in conversation.
Meanings of 倒是
dàoshì(dao4shi4)
1contrary to what one might expect
2actually
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 倒是
倒是Simplified
Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 倒是
Podcast: 倒是
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AI Study Notes for 倒是
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine someone tipping over a cup (倒) that spills the truth (是) all over the table. The unexpected spill makes you realize something new—this is how 倒是 brings out surprising insights in conversation.
Usage Notes
倒是 is often used in informal contexts to introduce a surprising or contrary point of view. A common mistake is to use it too formally; it is more suitable for casual conversation. Be cautious with the tone, as it can sound sarcastic if used improperly.
HSK Study Tips
倒是 is not currently included in the HSK vocabulary list, but understanding it can enhance your conversational skills. Focus on how it contrasts with previous statements and practice using it in dialogues to express unexpected opinions.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, 倒是 reflects the value of indirect communication, where expressing a contrary opinion can be a way to show politeness and maintain harmony in discussions.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 倒是 with 但是 (dàn shì), using it in contexts where a simple 'but' would suffice. For example, saying 倒是我不喜欢, which is incorrect; instead, use 但是我不喜欢.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 倒是
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Usage Notes for 倒是
Misunderstanding 倒是Common Error
倒是 can indicate a contrast or unexpected situation but is often misinterpreted as simply meaning 'indeed' or 'actually'.
1
他虽然很忙，倒是很乐意帮忙。
Although he is very busy, he is willing to help.
Exercise 1 of 1
Fill in the Blank
他虽然很忙，____很乐意帮忙。
Although he is very busy, he is willing to help.
Cultural Notes for 倒是
💡Did you know?
'倒是' is often used in conversational Chinese to soften statements or introduce a contrasting idea. It can make the speaker sound more polite or indirect, which is a key aspect of Chinese communication style.
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, 倒是 reflects the value of indirect communication, where expressing a contrary opinion can be a way to show politeness and maintain harmony in discussions.
📜Proverb
There's a saying in Chinese: '有则改之，无则加勉', which means if there is something to correct, do it; if not, encourage improvement. The use of '倒是' relates to this idea of recognizing situations and adapting accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions about 倒是
倒是 is commonly used in conversational Chinese to express a different perspective or to highlight an unexpected result. It's typically used when you want to soften a contradiction or present an alternative viewpoint without sounding harsh.
Some examples include: '你说得倒是容易，可是做起来很难。' (It's easy to say, but hard to do.) or '他倒是很有经验。' (He actually has a lot of experience.) These illustrate the phrase's use in contrasting ideas.
倒是 (dàoshì) is a phrase that can mean 'actually' or 'on the contrary.' It is often used to introduce a contrasting statement, suggesting that something is different from what was previously assumed or expected.
倒是 can be used to introduce a contrast or to emphasize an unexpected outcome. For example, you might say, '我本以为他会拒绝，倒是他答应了。' (I thought he would refuse, but actually he agreed.) This shows a surprising twist in the conversation.
It means 'actually' or 'on the contrary,' used to present an unexpected viewpoint.
It's generally used in informal speech; for formal writing, consider using other expressions.
It is pronounced as dào shì, with the fourth tone on 倒 and the fifth tone on 是.
