Shifting Focus with 倒是 dàoshì

Grammar Point:
The Chinese word 倒是 dàoshì can be used in a way that shifts focus or redirects attention in a conversation. This function is particularly useful when the speaker wants to introduce a new topic, perspective, or contrast that may not be directly related to the previous point, but still relevant.

Structure

Topic 1 + 倒是 dàoshì + Topic 2

我wǒ還是háishì老樣子lǎoyàngzi， 倒是dàoshì你nǐ， 聽說tīngshuō你nǐ交jiāo新xīn男友nányǒu了le？ 我wǒ还是háishì老样子lǎoyàngzi， 倒是dàoshì你nǐ，听说tīngshuō你nǐ交jiāo新xīn男友nányǒu了le？
I’m the same as always, but you—heard you’ve got a new boyfriend?

對於duìyú這個zhège計畫jìhuà我wǒ沒méi什麼shénme意見yìjiàn， 倒是dàoshì午餐wǔcān我們wǒmen要yào不要búyào去qù樓下lóuxià新xīn開kāi的de那nà家jiā試試shìshì？ 对于duìyú这个zhège计画jìhuà我wǒ没méi什么shénme意见yìjiàn， 倒是dàoshì午餐wǔcān我们wǒmen要yào不要búyào去qù楼下lóuxià新xīn开kāi的de那nà家jiā试试shìshì？
I don’t have much to say about this plan, but how about we try the new place downstairs for lunch?

我wǒ沒méi什麼shénme在zài看kàn紀錄片jìlùpiàn， 倒是dàoshì恐怖片kǒngbùpiàn我wǒ看kàn了le不bù少shǎo我wǒ没méi什么shénme在zài看kàn纪录片jìlùpiàn， 倒是dàoshì恐怖片kǒngbùpiàn我wǒ看kàn了le不bù少shǎo
I don’t watch many documentaries, but I’ve definitely seen my fair share of horror films.

已經yǐjīng這麼zhème晚wǎn了le！ 倒是dàoshì你nǐ沒關係méiguānxī嗎ma？ 你nǐ剛剛gānggāng不是búshì說shuō你nǐ跟gēn人rén有約yǒuyuē已经yǐjīng这么zhème晚wǎn了le！ 倒是dàoshì你nǐ没关系méiguānxi吗ma？ 你nǐ刚刚gānggāng不是búshì说shuō你nǐ跟gēn人rén有约yǒuyuē
It’s already so late! Are you sure you’re okay with this? Didn’t you say you had plans?

這個zhège問題wèntí倒是dàoshì提醒tíxǐng了le我wǒ这个zhège问题wèntí倒是dàoshì提醒tíxǐng了le我wǒ
This question actually reminds me…

從cóng檢查jiǎnchá結果jiéguǒ來看láikàn， 你nǐ的de胃wèi沒méi什麼shénme問題wèntí， 倒是dàoshì體重tǐzhòng需要xūyào注意zhùyì一下yíxià从cóng检查jiǎnchá结果jiéguǒ来看láikàn， 你nǐ的de胃wèi没méi什么shénme问题wèntí， 倒是dàoshì体重tǐzhòng需要xūyào注意zhùyì一下yíxià
The test results show your stomach is fine, but you should watch your weight.

我wǒ最近zuìjìn忙máng死sǐ了le， 倒是dàoshì你nǐ哪來nǎlái那麼nàme多duō時間shíjiān玩wánIG 我wǒ最近zuìjìn忙máng死sǐ了le， 倒是dàoshì你nǐ哪来nǎlái那么nàme多duō时间shíjiān玩wánIG
I’ve been super busy lately, but how do you have so much time for Instagram?

• Using 倒是 dàoshì as “Indeed” (HSK 5)

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