Fixed Phrase: 那倒(也)是
那倒（也）是
Use 那倒是 and 那倒也是 to concede a point or acknowledge someone's reasoning in conversation
那倒是 or 那倒也是 is used as a conversational response to acknowledge that someone's point is valid. It can stand alone as a complete response or be followed by an additional comment. The word 倒 here means "actually / indeed" and signals a partial or full concession.
那倒是 can also appear mid-sentence to acknowledge a point before continuing: 那倒是个好办法 (that is indeed a good method). The addition of 也 softens the concession slightly, suggesting "well, that's true too" with a hint of reluctance or reconsideration.
Lesson Targets
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Understanding 那倒（也）是
In Chinese conversation, when someone makes a point that you find reasonable — even if it wasn't your initial stance — 那倒是 or 那倒也是 is the natural way to acknowledge it. Think of it as the Chinese equivalent of "that's true" or "you've got a point there." It can function as a standalone response in dialogue, or it can appear within a sentence to validate someone's suggestion or observation. The particle 倒 adds a sense of concession: you may not have thought of it that way before, but upon reflection, you agree. Adding 也 (那倒也是) softens the concession further, implying "well, I suppose that's true as well." This phrase is extremely common in daily conversation and is a hallmark of natural, fluent spoken Chinese.
Key Points
- 那倒是 = "that's true / that's a good point" — used to concede or agree with someone's reasoning.
- 那倒也是 = "well, that's true too" — slightly softer concession, often with a nuance of reconsideration.
- Can stand alone as a complete response in dialogue.
- Can appear mid-sentence: 那倒是个好办法 (that is indeed a good solution).
- 倒 here means "actually / on the contrary to what I expected" — it signals a shift in your thinking.
- Very colloquial — primarily used in spoken Chinese and informal writing.
Chinese conversational culture places high value on 面子 (face) and social harmony. Rather than bluntly saying "you're right and I was wrong," speakers use phrases like 那倒也是 to gracefully concede a point. This allows both parties to save face — the speaker acknowledges the other's wisdom without explicitly admitting error, maintaining the harmonious flow of conversation.
Key Vocabulary
Example Sentences
现在看来，那倒是个很好的办法。
Looking at it now, that is indeed a very good method.
实在没办法，那倒也是个办法。
If there's really no other way, that is a solution too.
甲：如果能找到失败的原因，那倒是件值得高兴的事。乙：那倒也是。
A: If we can find the reason for the failure, that's actually something to be happy about. B: That's true.
甲：他虽然说话直，但心肠不坏。乙：那倒是。
A: He may be blunt, but he has a good heart. B: That's true.
你说的那倒也是，我再想想吧。
What you said is a fair point — let me think about it more.
甲：这样虽然慢，但比较安全。乙：那倒也是，安全第一。
A: This way is slower, but it's safer. B: That's true — safety first.
那倒是，我之前没有想到这一点。
That's true — I hadn't thought of that before.
Common Mistakes
The word order is fixed: 那 + 倒 + (也) + 是. You cannot rearrange the components.
那倒也是 responds to a suggestion, opinion, or reasoning — not a plain factual statement. There must be a point to concede.
Do not add 了 after 那倒也是. The phrase is a fixed expression that does not take aspect particles.
Practice Exercises
Tips & Tricks
Use 那倒是 in conversations to show you are a thoughtful listener who considers others' viewpoints.
那倒也是 is slightly softer and more hesitant than 那倒是 — use it when you're still not fully convinced but acknowledge the point.
Practice with dialogue partners: have one person make a suggestion, and respond with 那倒也是 before adding your own thought.
This phrase makes you sound natural in spoken Chinese — it's one of those small expressions that native speakers use constantly.
Homework
Write four mini-dialogues (甲/乙 format) where one speaker makes a suggestion or observation, and the other responds with 那倒是 or 那倒也是. Vary the topics: work, study, travel, and daily life.
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