倒也没有
dào yě méiyǒu
In Chinese, "not really" can be expressed as 倒也没有 (dào yě méiyǒu).
The phrase 倒也没有 is used to soften a denial or to indicate that a certain situation or quality is not as extreme or significant as someone might suggest.
Meaning: to a low degree (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 倒 (actually/on the contrary), 也 (also) and 没有 (do not have/there is not).
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle 倒 (dào) is used here to provide a nuance of 'on the contrary' or 'actually,' which helps soften the tone of the negation.
How do you pronounce it?
dào yě méiyǒu
Did you know?
- The character 倒 is a polyphone, meaning it is pronounced dǎo when referring to falling and dào when used in this phrase to mean 'on the contrary'.
- Using 倒也没有 is a key example of 'saving face' in Chinese culture, as it avoids the harshness of a direct 'no' which could be perceived as rude or aggressive.
- Because 倒 (dào) can mean 'to fall' or 'to tip over' in other contexts, the visual logic of the phrase implies a shift or a reversal of a certain position or assumption.
Examples in context
- 不太确定Not really sure.
- 不完全正确Not entirely correct.
- 不是很了解Not really familiar.
- 我倒也没有那么累。Wǒ dào yě méiyǒu nàme lèi.I'm not really that tired.
- 这件衣服倒也没有多贵。Zhè jiàn yīfu dào yě méiyǒu duō guì.This piece of clothing isn't really that expensive.
- 他倒也没有生气。Tā dào yě méiyǒu shēngqì.He's not really angry.
Example conversation
Xiaowen asks Zhiqiang if he is tired after work.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen你今天累吗？nǐ jīntiān lèi ma?Are you tired today?
- 志强 Zhiqiang倒也没有，还行。dào yě méiyǒu, hái xíng.Not really, I'm doing okay.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen那我们去逛逛吧。nà wǒmen qù guàngguang ba.Then let's go for a walk.
- 志强 Zhiqiang好，走吧。hǎo, zǒu ba.Okay, let's go.
