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Expressing contrariness with 倒 (dào) as an adverb
HSK 4Comparison
Emphasis
Structure
Subject + 倒 + Unexpected Result
Explanation
The adverb 倒 (dào) is used to express that something turned out contrary to what was expected. It conveys a sense of "on the contrary" or "instead," highlighting a surprising or unexpected result. It is placed before the verb or adjective in the clause that presents the unexpected outcome.
Examples
别人都觉得难，他倒做得挺轻松的。
biérén dōu juéde nán, tā dào zuò de tǐng qīngsōng de.
Everyone else found it difficult, but he did it quite easily.
我以为他会拒绝，他倒答应得很爽快。
wǒ yǐwéi tā huì jùjué, tā dào dāying de hěn shuǎngkuài.
I thought he would refuse, but he agreed quite readily.
大家都不饿，你倒吃了三碗饭。
dàjiā dōu bú è, nǐ dào chī le sān wǎn fàn.
Nobody else was hungry, yet you went and ate three bowls of rice.