{{Grammar Box}} 

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.


== 倒 Used to Express an Unexpected Situation ==

Note that 倒 is often followed by 也 or 又 to add further emphasis.

=== Structure ===

<div class="jiegou">

⋯⋯，Subj.＋倒 + （也 / 又）⋯⋯

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=== Examples ===

<div class="liju">

*他 不 是 很 努力 的学生，但 成绩 <em>倒</em> 也 不错。<span class="trans">He's not a vey hard-working student, but his score isn't too bad.</span>
*已经 是 春天 了，<em>倒</em> 又 冷 起来 了。<span class="trans">It's already spring, but it's getting cold.</span>
*不 吃 药，病 <em>倒</em> 慢慢 好 了。<span class="trans">I didn't take any medicine, but I'm getting better.</span>
*他 是 个 老外，普通话 <em>倒</em> 挺 流利。<span class="trans">He is a foreigner, but he speaks fluent Chinese.</span>

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== Using 倒 to make a concession ==

=== Structure ===

倒 can also be used to express a concession, so it's often followed by 就是、但是、可是、不过.

<div class="jiegou">

Subj. 倒 + positive side，不过 / 但是 / 就是＋undesirable things

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=== Examples ===

<div class="liju">

*这 篇 文章 的 内容 <em>倒</em> 不错，<em>就是</em> 太 长 了。<span class="trans">The content of this article is great, but it's a little too long.</span>
*这 件 衣服 的 样式 和 大小 <em>倒</em> 都 合适，<em>可是</em> 我 不 喜欢 这 个 颜色。<span class="trans">The style and size if this piece of clothes fit me well, but I don't like its color.</span>
*你们 提供 的 服务 <em>倒</em> 不错，<em>但是</em> 对 我 来说 太 贵 了。<span class="trans">The service you provide is great, but it's too expensive to me.</span>
*我 <em>倒</em> 想 陪 你 一起 去，<em>不过</em> 要 等 到 周末。<span class="trans">I want to come with you, but you need to wait until this weekend.</span>

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For more on [[倒]], be sure to check our C1 (advanced) grammar point on [[Expressing contrariness with "dao"|expressing contrariness with 倒]].

==See also==
*[[Expressing contrariness with "dao"]]
*[[The "However" Adverb "que"]]
*[["On the Contrary" with "fan'er"]]
*[[Conceding a Point with "shi"]]

== Sources and further reading ==

=== Books ===

* [[Chinese Grammar - Broken down into 100 items - Basic and Intermediate Levels (汉语语法百项讲练 - 初中级) ]] (pp. 140-3) [http://www.amazon.cn/gp/product/B004WA6JSQ/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-23&linkCode=as2&camp=536&creative=3132&creativeASIN=B004WA6JSQ →buy]
* [[New Practical Chinese Reader 5 (新实用汉语课本5)]] (pp. 52)  [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/7561914083/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=7561914083 →buy]

[[Category: B2 grammar points]]
{{Basic Grammar|倒|B2|倒⋯⋯|雨 没有 停 ， <em>倒</em> 大 起来 了 。|grammar point|ASG1RE80}}
{{Similar|The "However" Adverb "que"}}
{{Similar|"On the Contrary" with "fan'er"}}
{{Similar|Conceding a Point with "shi"}}
{{Similar|Expressing contrariness with "dao"}}
{{Used for|Contrasting}}
{{Structure|"But" Statements}}
{{Translation|however}}