倒是 for Contrast and Reassessment in Chinese
倒是
倒是 highlights a fact that contrasts with an expectation, earlier statement, or another relevant case. Depending on context, it can correct an assumption, concede a limited positive point, or shift attention to a surprising assessment. Because its interpretation depends on a recoverable comparison, it is not a neutral synonym for 但是.
Published July 24, 2026
Reviewed July 24, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
Subject/topic + 倒是 + predicate; clause A，倒是 + clause B
Read the structure
倒是 highlights a fact that contrasts with an expectation, earlier statement, or another relevant case. Depending on context, it can correct an assumption, concede a limited positive point, or shift attention to a surprising assessment. Because its interpretation depends on a recoverable comparison, it is not a neutral synonym for 但是. Keep the model Subject/topic + 倒是 + predicate; clause A，倒是 + clause B visible while you compare each sentence.
这个办法倒是可行，不过成本太高。
This method is workable, though it costs too much.
Choose the right context
Correct or reassess an expectation with a contrasting fact. Concede one limited point before discussing a reservation. Place 倒是 before the predicate or assessment receiving contrastive focus.
我以为他会反对，他倒是马上同意了。
I thought he would object, but he agreed immediately.
Respect the boundary
Do not use it when no contrast, expectation, or prior position is recoverable. Do not treat every use as a direct equivalent of clause-initial 但是. Do not attach aspect particles directly to 倒是.
我倒是了同意这个办法。
(I do agree with this method.)
Repair the pattern
Adding 了 directly to 倒是: 倒是 is a contrastive adverbial expression. The aspect particle 了 cannot attach directly to it. Inserting 得 before an adjective predicate: 倒是 directly precedes the focused predicate 可行. 得 cannot link the adverbial expression to this adjective.
我倒是同意这个办法。
Use the repaired structure without changing the intended meaning.
02 / MAP
Read the Sentence
Read from left to right and notice the job performed by each part. The labels describe this example; they are not a rule that every Chinese sentence must copy.
这个办法倒是可行，不过成本太高。
This method is workable, though it costs too much.
这个
Subject/topic
This part occupies the Subject/topic position in the model pattern.
办法
倒是
This part occupies the 倒是 position in the model pattern.
倒是
predicate; clause A，倒是
This part occupies the predicate; clause A，倒是 position in the model pattern.
可行
clause B
This part occupies the clause B position in the model pattern.
，
Subject/topic
This part occupies the Subject/topic position in the model pattern.
不过
倒是
This part occupies the 倒是 position in the model pattern.
成本
predicate; clause A，倒是
This part occupies the predicate; clause A，倒是 position in the model pattern.
太高
clause B
This part occupies the clause B position in the model pattern.
03 / EXAMPLES
Examples You Can Reuse
Keep the structure stable while changing the people, objects, times, or conditions. Pinyin is shown as reading support; use the Chinese sentence and translation to confirm the grammar relationship.
这个办法倒是可行，不过成本太高。
This method is workable, though it costs too much.
我以为他会反对，他倒是马上同意了。
I thought he would object, but he agreed immediately.
房间不大，光线倒是很好。
The room is not large, but the light is quite good.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- Correct or reassess an expectation with a contrasting fact.
- Concede one limited point before discussing a reservation.
- Place 倒是 before the predicate or assessment receiving contrastive focus.
Do not use it when
- Do not use it when no contrast, expectation, or prior position is recoverable.
- Do not treat every use as a direct equivalent of clause-initial 但是.
- Do not attach aspect particles directly to 倒是.
05 / REPAIR
Compare Right and Wrong
Compare the smallest meaningful change. Each explanation identifies a placement, scope, form, or clause relationship instead of treating the whole sentence as one undifferentiated mistake.
我倒是了同意这个办法。
我倒是同意这个办法。
Adding 了 directly to 倒是
倒是 is a contrastive adverbial expression. The aspect particle 了 cannot attach directly to it.
这个办法倒是得可行。
这个办法倒是可行。
Inserting 得 before an adjective predicate
倒是 directly precedes the focused predicate 可行. 得 cannot link the adverbial expression to this adjective.
我倒是了同意这个办法。
Do not attach 了 to 倒是; use 倒是同意.
这个办法倒是得可行。
Use 倒是可行 without 得.
06 / PRACTICE
Practice the Grammar Point
Complete three short tasks in order: judge the pattern, repair a common error, and build the sentence. Feedback is fixed and reviewed, so these activities do not use a checker allowance.
1. Judge the sentence
2. Choose the correction
3. Build the sentence
Build a complete sentence with 倒是.
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 倒是. Your draft moves to the checker through this browser session, selects this grammar point as the first review focus, and waits for you to submit.
08 / QUESTIONS
倒是 for Contrast and Reassessment Questions
Is 倒是 the same as 但是?
No. 但是 explicitly links contrasting clauses, while 倒是 focuses a predicate as contrary to an expectation or as a reassessed point. They can occur in similar contexts but organize the contrast differently.
Does 倒是 always express surprise?
Not always. It can mark correction, concession, or reassessment; surprise is one common effect when the focused fact conflicts with an expectation.
09 / SOURCES
Sources and Review Notes
These references support different parts of the lesson. GF0025-2021 supports level placement only; professional grammar works support the explanation, limits, examples, and cross-checks. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement.
Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education (GF0025-2021)
Ministry of Education and State Language Commission · Ministry of Education of the PRC · 2021
Locator: Appendix A, A.5.2 副词, 【五08】倒是, PDF p. 223
Places 倒是 in the official Level 5 adverb inventory.
Official sourceModern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide, 3rd ed.
Ross, Ma, Chen, He and Yeh · Routledge · 2024
Locator: Chapter 41, §41.3.1 ‘Indicating contrast or contrary to expectations’, printed pp. 279–280
Supports 倒/倒是 as focusing a fact that contrasts with expectations or with another stated situation.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
Easy to confuse
却却: Unexpected Contrast
倒是 reassesses a focused fact, while 却 directly marks an outcome contrary to context.
Compare
偏偏偏偏: Contrary to Expectation
Compare reassessment with 偏偏 highlighting a frustrating or surprising mismatch against expectations.
Compare
反倒反倒: Contrary to Expectation
Distinguish a focused concession or correction from 反倒 explicitly presenting a reversed result.
Continue learning
不料不料: Unexpectedly
Continue from contrastive reassessment to a narrative marker that introduces an unforeseen outcome.
RECOMMENDED NEXT
Easy to confuse
倒是 reassesses a focused fact, while 却 directly marks an outcome contrary to context.