Tomyo

How to use 倒 (dào) to express “but actually” in Chinese

倒 (dào)⋯⋯

Expressing contrariness with "倒 (dào)"

HSK 4"But" Statements

Rule structure

倒 (dào) softens the statement, expresses mild contrast, or concedes a point before introducing a counter-opinion. It often appears as 倒是 (dào shì).

Examples

雨没有停，倒大起来了。

Yǔ méiyǒu tíng, dào dà qǐlai le.

The rain didn't stop, but got heavier.

Practice

Build the sentence

Drag the characters to put them in the correct order

Characters

Frequently asked questions

How do you express “Expressing contrariness with "倒 (dào)"” in Chinese?

Use the structure: 倒 (dào)⋯⋯. For example: 雨没有停，倒大起来了。 — “The rain didn't stop, but got heavier.”.

What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?

雨没有停，倒大起来了。 — “The rain didn't stop, but got heavier.”.

Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?

This grammar rule is part of HSK 4.

Tomyo

Learn Chinese grammar with smart reviews

Grammar explanations, exercises and spaced repetition — all in one app.

Download the app

More HSK 4 grammar rules

Expressing "although" with "尽管 (jǐnguǎn)"

尽管 (jǐnguǎn)⋯⋯，但是 (dànshì)⋯⋯

The "however" adverb "却 (què)"

⋯⋯，却 (què)⋯⋯

Indicating the whole with "全 (quán)"

全 (quán) + Measure Word + Noun

Expressing "until" with "到 (dào)"

Verb + 到 (dào) + Time / Place / Degree

Advanced uses of "连 (lián)"

连 (lián) + Verb + 都 (dōu) + 不 (bù) / 没 (méi) + Verb

Expressing "it turns out / originally" with "原来 (yuánlái)"

Subj. + 原来 (yuánlái) + Predicate

Expressing "must" with "得 (děi)"

Subj. + 得 (děi) + Verb Phrase

Expressing "no matter" with "不管 (bùguǎn)"

不管 (bùguǎn)⋯⋯，都 (dōu) / 也 (yě)⋯⋯