可 · 倒
可: really, so (strong feeling) · 倒: actually, against what you would expect
Structure
主语 + 可 + 形容词 + 了 · 可 + 别 + 动词 · 主语 + 倒 + 动词／形容词
What it means
可 (kě) before an adjective adds strong feeling, “so” or “really”; 可别 is a warm but firm “don’t”. 倒 (dào) marks a fact that goes against what you would expect: “actually”.
How it is built
Subject + 可 + adjective + 了: 北京的冬天可冷了 (Winter in Beijing is really cold). 可别 + verb for a warning. Subject + 倒 + verb／adjective: 菜倒挺好吃 (The food is actually pretty good).
When to use it
Both are spoken. 可 also goes before 真 or a negative: 可真准, 我可不敢. 倒 usually comes in the second clause, after a fact that sets up a different expectation: 他平时很懒，考试前倒很认真.
Watch out
This 可 is not 可以 or 可是. 倒 is an adverb, so it comes after the subject, never at the start: ✗ 倒菜挺好吃。 ✓ 菜倒挺好吃。 With 可 + adjective, usually keep the final 了: 可冷了.
Examples
北京的冬天可冷了！
Winter in Beijing is really cold!
明天要考试，你可别忘了！
There’s an exam tomorrow. Mind you don’t forget!
他平时很懒，考试前倒很认真。
He’s usually lazy, but before exams he actually works hard.
这家饭馆不大，菜倒挺好吃。
This restaurant isn’t big, but the food is actually rather good.
Learn this in HSK 4 · Lesson 23: 你是什么样的人 (Personality)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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