The Chinese character 倒 (dào/dǎo) is a fascinating word because its meaning and pronunciation change depending on the context. It can be a verb, an adverb, or even a particle, conveying a variety of nuances from "to fall" to "on the contrary" or "even."
Pronunciation and Core Meanings
First, let's distinguish its two main pronunciations:
dǎo (third tone): Primarily means "to fall down," "to collapse," "to pour," or "to go bankrupt." It often implies a change in vertical position or state.
dào (fourth tone): This pronunciation is more versatile and can mean "to turn upside down," "to reverse," "to move backwards," "on the contrary," "even," "after all," or "unexpectedly." It often implies reversal, opposition, or emphasis.
Usage of 倒 (dǎo) - "To fall," "To pour"
When pronounced dǎo, it typically functions as a verb.
To fall / To collapse:
他摔倒了。 (Tā shuāi dǎo le.)
He fell down.
那棵树被风吹倒了。 (Nà kē shù bèi fēng chuī dǎo le.)
That tree was blown down by the wind.
公司倒闭了。 (Gōngsī dǎobì le.)
The company went bankrupt.
To pour (out/into):
请把水倒进杯子里。 (Qǐng bǎ shuǐ dǎo jìn bēizi lǐ.)
Please pour the water into the cup.
他把垃圾倒掉了。 (Tā bǎ lājī dǎo diào le.)
He poured out the trash (or dumped it).
Usage of 倒 (dào) - "Reverse," "On the contrary," "Unexpectedly"
When pronounced dào, its usage is more nuanced and can be a verb, an adverb, or a particle.
As a Verb: "To turn upside down," "To reverse," "To move backwards"
To invert / To turn upside down:
他把盒子倒过来了。 (Tā bǎ hézi dào guòlái le.)
He turned the box upside down.
把字倒着写。 (Bǎ zì dào zhe xiě.)
Write the character backwards (or upside down).
To reverse (a car):
请把车倒出去。 (Qǐng bǎ chē dào chūqù.)
Please back the car out.
他正在倒车入库。 (Tā zhèngzài dào chē rù kù.)
He is currently backing the car into the garage.
To transfer/resell:
他是倒卖票的。 (Tā shì dàomài piào de.)
He is reselling (scalping) tickets.
As an Adverb/Particle: "On the contrary," "Unexpectedly," "However," "Even," "After all"
This is where 倒 (dào) becomes particularly tricky but powerful, adding various shades of meaning. It often indicates a contrast, a concession, or a surprising turn.
To indicate a contrast or concession ("on the contrary," "however," "but"):
It softens a disagreement or presents a different perspective, often implying that something is still true despite an earlier statement or expectation.
我以为会下雨，倒没下。 (Wǒ yǐwéi huì xiàyǔ, dào méi xià.)
I thought it would rain, but it didn't. (Contrary to expectation)
你倒是说句话啊！ (Nǐ dào shì shuō jù huà a!)
Why don't you say something! (Implying a lack of action contrary to expectation/desire)
累是累，倒不后悔。 (Lèi shì lèi, dào bù hòuhuǐ.)
Tiredness is tiredness, but no regrets. (Conceding tiredness, then offering a contrasting feeling)
To indicate something unexpected or surprising ("unexpectedly," "actually"):
他看起来很年轻，倒是已经五十岁了。 (Tā kàn qǐlái hěn niánqīng, dào shì yǐjīng wǔshí suì le.)
He looks very young, but surprisingly he's already fifty.
你倒是来了！ (Nǐ dào shì lái le!)
You actually came! (Implying surprise that they showed up)
To emphasize a point or make a mild complaint/sarcasm ("even," "after all"):
这件衣服倒挺好看的。 (Zhè jiàn yīfu dào tǐng hǎokàn de.)
This piece of clothing is actually quite good-looking. (A slight emphasis, perhaps after initially not thinking so)
你倒是挺忙的。 (Nǐ dào shì tǐng máng de.)
You're quite busy, aren't you? (Can be a neutral observation or a mild complaint/sarcasm, depending on tone)
Used in rhetorical questions (often with 呢 ne or 吗 ma) to express impatience or challenge:
你倒是说清楚啊！ (Nǐ dào shì shuō qīngchu a!)
Why don't you explain it clearly! (Impatient tone)
他倒是能帮上什么忙？ (Tā dào shì néng bāng shàng shénme máng?)
What help can he possibly offer? (Skeptical/challenging tone)
Tips for Using 倒
Context is King: The specific meaning of 倒 (dào) as an adverb/particle heavily depends on the context and the speaker's tone.
Contrast is a common thread: Many uses of 倒 (dào) imply some form of contrast with an expectation or a previous statement.
Listen to native speakers: Pay close attention to how native speakers use 倒 in different situations to grasp its subtle nuances. It's one of those words that's best learned through exposure and practice.
Practicing with these examples will help you get a better feel for this versatile word! Do any of these uses particularly confuse you, or would you like more examples of a specific one?
0 件のコメント:
コメントを投稿