“Indeed” in Chinese 3 – 倒是 dàoshì

Grammar Point:
When 倒是 dàoshì is roughly translated as “indeed” in English, it’s used to emphasize or draw attention to a specific point in agreement. It highlights a particular detail or aspect of a situation, often to show support or alignment with an idea.

Structure

S + 倒是 dàoshì + Emphasis，Comment

他tā說shuō的de倒是dàoshì有yǒu道理dàolǐ， 這次zhècì就jiù聽tīng他tā的de吧ba他tā说shuō的de倒是dàoshì有yǒu道理dàolǐ， 这次zhècì就jiù听tīng他tā的de吧ba
He does make a good point; let’s go with his suggestion this time.

今天jīntiān天氣tiānqì倒是dàoshì挺tǐng涼快liángkuài的de， 很hěn適合shìhé去qù爬山páshān今天jīntiān天气tiānqì倒是dàoshì挺tǐng凉快liángkuài的de， 很hěn适合shìhé去qù爬山páshān
The weather is quite pleasant today—perfect for hiking.

這zhè種zhǒng做法zuòfǎ倒是dàoshì怪guài新鮮xīnxiān的de， 從來沒cóngláiméi見jiàn過guò这zhè种zhǒng做法zuòfǎ倒是dàoshì怪guài新鲜xīnxiān的de， 从来没cóngláiméi见jiàn过guò
This approach is quite novel; I’ve never seen it before

你nǐ倒是dàoshì很hěn有心yǒuxīn， 準備zhǔnbèi了le這麼zhème多duō菜cài你nǐ倒是dàoshì很hěn有心yǒuxīn， 准备zhǔnbèi了le这么zhème多duō菜cài
You’re really thoughtful, preparing so many dishes.😒
(See more explanation below.)

我wǒ倒是dàoshì不知道bùzhīdào， 現在xiànzài該gāi怎麼辦zěnmebàn了le我wǒ倒是dàoshì不知道bùzhīdào， 现在xiànzài该gāi怎么办zěnmebàn了le
I honestly don’t know what to do now.

你nǐ倒是dàoshì說說shuōshuō， 我們wǒmen應該yīnggāi怎麼zěnme做zuò你nǐ倒是dàoshì说说shuōshuō， 我们wǒmen应该yīnggāi怎么zěnme做zuò
Why don’t you tell us what we should do?

她tā倒是dàoshì好hǎo了le， 屁股拍拍就走了pìgǔpāipāijiùzǒule， 留liú我們wǒmen收拾shōushí爛攤子làntānzi她tā倒是dàoshì好hǎo了le， 屁股拍拍就走了pìgǔpāipāijiùzǒule， 留liú我们wǒmen收拾shōushí烂摊子làntānzi
She had it easy—just walked away without a care and left us to clean up the mess.

With 倒是 dàoshì & Without 倒是 dàoshì

With 倒是 dàoshì, the sentence feels more expressive and nuanced, conveying surprise, emphasis, politeness, or even subtle criticism. Without it, the tone becomes more straightforward and neutral, focusing purely on the content without additional emotional or contextual layers.

他tā說shuō的de倒是dàoshì有yǒu道理dàolǐ， 這次zhècì就jiù聽tīng他tā的de吧ba他tā说shuō的de倒是dàoshì有yǒu道理dàolǐ， 这次zhècì就jiù听tīng他tā的de吧ba
→ Adds a sense of surprise, implying that his reasoning is unexpectedly valid.

他tā說shuō的de有yǒu道理dàolǐ， 這次zhècì就jiù聽tīng他tā的de吧ba他tā说shuō的de有yǒu道理dàolǐ， 这次zhècì就jiù听tīng他tā的de吧ba
→ Simply states that his reasoning is valid, with no additional nuance.

你nǐ倒是dàoshì很hěn有心yǒuxīn， 準備zhǔnbèi了le這麼zhème多duō菜cài你nǐ倒是dàoshì很hěn有心yǒuxīn， 准备zhǔnbèi了le这么zhème多duō菜cài
→ It’s surprising that she prepared so many dishes, and there’s a bit of sarcasm in it.

你nǐ很hěn有心yǒuxīn， 準備zhǔnbèi了le這麼zhème多duō菜cài你nǐ很hěn有心yǒuxīn， 准备zhǔnbèi了le这么zhème多duō菜cài
→ Sounds more neutral and straightforward. (It’s a compliment)

她tā倒是dàoshì好hǎo了le， 屁股拍拍就走了pìgǔpāipāijiùzǒule， 留liú我們wǒmen收拾shōushí爛攤子làntānzi她tā倒是dàoshì好hǎo了le， 屁股拍拍就走了pìgǔpāipāijiùzǒule， 留liú我们wǒmen收拾shōushí烂摊子làntānzi
→ Suggests a critical tone, emphasizing her carefree attitude and the speaker’s frustration.

她tā好hǎo了le， 屁股拍拍就走了pìgǔpāipāijiùzǒule， 留liú我們wǒmen收拾shōushí爛攤子làntānzi她tā好hǎo了le， 屁股拍拍就走了pìgǔpāipāijiùzǒule， 留liú我们wǒmen收拾shōushí烂摊子làntānzi
→ States the situation plainly, with less emotional weight.

• “Indeed” in Chinese 1 – 確實确实 quèshí (HSK 3)
• “Indeed” in Chinese 2 – 的確确 díquè (HSK 4)
• “Indeed” in Chinese 4 – 可 kě (HSK 5)

• Showing Contrast with 倒是 dàoshì (HSK 7-9)
• Shifting Focus with 倒是 dàoshì (HSK 7-9)