Chinese–EnglishWith examples

倒是

dào shi · dao shi

Same in simplified and traditional Chinese

HSK 5

Meaning

CC-CEDICT
  1. contrary to what one might expect
  2. actually
  3. contrariwise
  4. why don't you
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In a conversation

0:17 cartoon

Which movie tonight?

  1. Liangliang

    你(nǐ)倒是(dàoshi)说说(shuōshuo)，今晚(jīnwǎn)我们(wǒmen)看(kàn)什么(shénme)电影(diànyǐng)？

    Come on, say something. What movie are we watching tonight?

  2. Dengdeng

    这部(zhèbù)电影(diànyǐng)名字(míngzi)一般(yībān)，演员(yǎnyuán)倒是(dàoshi)不错(bùcuò)。

    This movie's title is so-so, but the actors are good.

  3. Liangliang

    你(nǐ)看过(kànguò)吗(ma)？

    Have you seen it?

  4. Dengdeng

    看过(kànguò)，我(wǒ)昨天(zuótiān)刚(gāng)看完(kànwán)。

    Yes, I just finished it yesterday.

  5. Liangliang

    那(nà)你(nǐ)倒是(dàoshi)早(zǎo)说(shuō)啊(a)，我们(wǒmen)看(kàn)别的(biéde)吧(ba)！

    Then why didn't you say so earlier? Let's watch something else!

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In a sentence

2 examples
01

他(tā)平(píng)时(shí)不(bú)爱(ài)说(shuō)话(huà)，今(jīn)天(tiān)倒(dào)是(shi)聊(liáo)了(le)很(hěn)久(jiǔ)。

He usually doesn't like to talk, but today he actually chatted for a long time.

02

你(nǐ)倒(dào)是(shi)说(shuō)说(shuō)，这(zhè)件(jiàn)事(shì)该(gāi)怎(zěn)么(me)办(bàn)？

Why don't you tell us how this matter should be handled?

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Definitions adapted from CC-CEDICT, published by MDBG and its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Pinyin display and entry grouping have been adapted.

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