Acknowledging a Point with 那倒（也）是 in Chinese
那倒（也）是
那倒是 or 那倒也是 acknowledges that the other speaker's point is valid, often after hesitation, correction, or a contrasting consideration. 倒 highlights the reassessment, while optional 也 adds agreement. The phrase can stand as a response or introduce the specific point being accepted in informal conversation.
Published July 31, 2026
Reviewed July 31, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
那 + 倒 +（也）+ 是 + Noun Phrase / Clause
Read the structure
那倒是 or 那倒也是 acknowledges that the other speaker's point is valid, often after hesitation, correction, or a contrasting consideration. 倒 highlights the reassessment, while optional 也 adds agreement. The phrase can stand as a response or introduce the specific point being accepted in informal conversation. Keep the model 那 + 倒 +（也）+ 是 + Noun Phrase / Clause visible while you compare each sentence.
甲：坐地铁更快。乙：那倒是。
A: The subway is faster. B: That is true.
Choose the right context
Concede that another speaker has made a valid point. Acknowledge one fact after presenting a reservation. Introduce the specific idea now accepted as true.
那倒也是，我们可以再想想。
That is also true; we can think about it again.
Respect the boundary
Do not move 是 after its complement. Do not split the fixed sequence 那倒（也）是. Do not use the phrase as a neutral factual statement without a prior viewpoint to reassess.
那倒个好办法是。
(That indeed a good solution is.)
Repair the pattern
是 is moved after its nominal complement: 是 must introduce the noun phrase that states the acknowledged point. The sequence is broken by reversing 倒 and 是: The acknowledging frame keeps 倒 before 是; reversing them changes the structure and leaves 倒 misplaced.
那倒是个好办法。
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.
甲：坐地铁更快。乙：那倒是。
A: The subway is faster. B: That is true.
甲
那
This part occupies the 那 position in the model pattern.
：
倒
This part occupies the 倒 position in the model pattern.
坐
（也）
This part occupies the （也） position in the model pattern.
地铁
是
This part occupies the 是 position in the model pattern.
更
Noun Phrase / Clause
This part occupies the Noun Phrase / Clause position in the model pattern.
快
那
This part occupies the 那 position in the model pattern.
乙
倒
This part occupies the 倒 position in the model pattern.
：
（也）
This part occupies the （也） position in the model pattern.
那
是
This part occupies the 是 position in the model pattern.
倒是
Noun Phrase / Clause
This part occupies the Noun Phrase / Clause 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.
甲：坐地铁更快。乙：那倒是。
A: The subway is faster. B: That is true.
那倒也是，我们可以再想想。
That is also true; we can think about it again.
那倒是个好办法。
That is indeed a good solution.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- Concede that another speaker has made a valid point.
- Acknowledge one fact after presenting a reservation.
- Introduce the specific idea now accepted as true.
Do not use it when
- Do not move 是 after its complement.
- Do not split the fixed sequence 那倒（也）是.
- Do not use the phrase as a neutral factual statement without a prior viewpoint to reassess.
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.
那倒个好办法是。
那倒是个好办法。
是 is moved after its nominal complement
是 must introduce the noun phrase that states the acknowledged point.
那是倒个好办法。
那倒是个好办法。
The sequence is broken by reversing 倒 and 是
The acknowledging frame keeps 倒 before 是; reversing them changes the structure and leaves 倒 misplaced.
那倒个好办法是。
是 must introduce the noun phrase that states the acknowledged point.
那是倒个好办法。
The acknowledging frame keeps 倒 before 是; reversing them changes the structure and leaves 倒 misplaced.
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 那倒（也）是.
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 那倒（也）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
Acknowledging a Point with 那倒（也）是 Questions
What does 倒 contribute here?
It marks reassessment or concession: the speaker now accepts a point against some prior reservation or expectation.
Is 也 required?
No. 那倒是 and 那倒也是 are both attested; 也 makes the agreement more explicit.
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, Level 6 item 【六32】, PDF p. 237
Lists 那倒（也）是 at Level 6 with acknowledgment and evaluation examples.
Official source现代汉语构式数据库
北京大学中国语言学研究中心 · Peking University · 2021
Locator: Construction record 2521, 倒+是
Documents the 倒是 and 倒也是 variants, acknowledgment meaning, examples, and colloquial register.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
Easy to confuse
倒是倒是 for Contrast and Reassessment
The response frame specializes 倒是 for conceding or reassessing another speaker's valid point.
Compare
可不是Emphatic Agreement 可不是
Compare measured concession with 可不是 expressing emphatic agreement in conversation.
Compare
话是这么说，不过…Concessive Qualification Formula
Both acknowledge a point, but 话是这么说 introduces a following reservation.
Continue learning
别提了Dismissive Formula 别提了
Continue with a stronger conversational reaction that expresses emotion rather than measured acknowledgment.
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Easy to confuse
The response frame specializes 倒是 for conceding or reassessing another speaker's valid point.