离青龙坛倒是不远
“from here.”
THE DIALOGUE REEL
这呢
“It's not far”
离 青龙坛 倒是不远
“from here.”
可最近那地方
“But lately, that place”
“The distance is not the issue, but something else about that place is worrying.”
In spoken Chinese, 'daoshi' is frequently used to grant a favorable point (e.g., proximity) immediately prior to raising a drawback, softening potential conflict.
LEARNING CHUNKS & PARTICLES
actually not far / relatively close indeed
The adverb '倒是' signals a concession or mild contrast before introducing a complication.
not far from ...
Essential spatial pattern in Chinese to describe relative distance between two places.
VOCABULARY & EXPRESSIONS
Parallel Spoken Cinema Scenes (语义近邻切片)
“there's been no news from some servants”
“What about it?”
“we'll surely be like a tiger with wings.”
“My Qinglong Altar is truly honored.”
“to retake the Qinglong and Xuanwu Altars.”
“[Liubo Temple] and came to the Qinghong Sect.”