不同的是...
Use this to flag a contrast after you've already set up a comparison. You've described one thing — now you want to say 'what's different is...' and introduce the twist. It's a written-and-spoken connector that lives at the start of a sentence and grabs attention: the listener knows a contrast with the previous point is coming. Common in news, analysis, and any narrative that compares then-vs-now or A-vs-B.
Structure
..., 不同的是, [CONTRASTING POINT]
bùtóng de shì...
How to Think About It
Think of 不同的是 as a pivot hinge. The previous sentence establishes a baseline; this phrase swings the discussion to what's NOT the same. It assumes the reader already knows what you're contrasting against — you don't restate it. Drop 不同的是 and the contrast still exists, but the listener loses the signpost telling them 'pay attention, here's the difference.'
Examples
去年我们也开了会, 不同的是, 这次大家都来了。
Qùnián wǒmen yě kāi le huì, bùtóng de shì, zhè cì dàjiā dōu lái le.
We had a meeting last year too; what's different is, this time everyone showed up.
两个城市都很热闹, 不同的是上海更国际化。
Liǎng ge chéngshì dōu hěn rènào, bùtóng de shì Shànghǎi gèng guójìhuà.
Both cities are lively; the difference is, Shanghai is more international.
故事的开头一样, 不同的是结局。
Gùshi de kāitóu yíyàng, bùtóng de shì jiéjú.
The beginning of the story is the same; what differs is the ending.
Common Mistake
Learners try to use 不同的是 to introduce the FIRST item of a comparison, like English 'a difference is.' But 不同的是 only works AFTER a baseline has been set — it's a pivot, not an opener. Without prior context, it sounds like you started mid-thought.
不同的是中国和美国, 中国发展更快。
中国和美国都在发展, 不同的是, 中国发展更快。
Don't Confuse With
相比之下
Also introduces a contrast but explicitly frames it as comparison ('by comparison'). Use 相比之下 when you want the comparison itself to be the point; 不同的是 when you're highlighting the specific difference.
但是
General contrast ('but'). 不同的是 is narrower — it specifically introduces a point of difference, not just any opposition.
区别在于
More analytical — 'the distinction lies in.' Used in formal explanation or definition. 不同的是 flows in narrative; 区别在于 sounds like a textbook.
Practice
他们都喜欢运动, ____ 的是他喜欢跑步, 她喜欢游泳。
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不同
今年也下雪了, 不同 ____ 是, 下得特别大。
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的
Arrange: 是 / 的 / 不同 / 这次有更多人 / ,
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不同的是, 这次有更多人。
Translate: Both restaurants are good; the difference is, this one is cheaper.
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两家餐厅都不错, 不同的是, 这家更便宜。
Compare two of your years (e.g., this year and last) using 不同的是.
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去年我住在北京, 不同的是, 今年我搬到了上海。
Hear It in Real Episodes
This pattern appears in 1 Fluentide episode: