AdverbsHSK 6

Advanced usages of the contrary 倒

This advanced pattern uses 倒 after a verb with 得 to express a contrary or unexpected outcome, often with a critical or ironic tone. It most often appears with the verbs 说 or 想, and the subject is typically second or third person (你、你们、他、他们).

Structure

Subj. + Verb + 得 + 倒 + Adj.

Usually with 说 or 想; subject is second or third person; implies criticism or contrary expectation.

Examples

你说得倒轻松。
Nǐ shuō de dào qīngsōng.
You say it so easily (but it's not that easy).
他想得倒美。
Tā xiǎng de dào měi.
He thinks it's wonderful (but reality is different).
你们说得倒好听。
Nǐmen shuō de dào hǎotīng.
You make it sound nice (but I doubt it).

Words that use this

倒dǎoto fall; to collapse; to lie horizontally; to fail; to go bankrupt; to overthrow; to change (trains or buses); to move around; to resell at a profit