A是A（，不过/但…） A shì A (, búguò / dàn…)

A是A（，不过/但…）（A shì A (, búguò / dàn…)）means “'It's true that A, but…' — concede A then qualify — A 是 A，不过…”. The pattern repeats an adjective or verb around 是 to concede that A does hold, then follows with a contrast introduced by 不过/但是/可是/就是. Formation: 形容词/动词 A + 是 + A，(不过/可是/就是) + 转折

'It's true that A, but…' — concede A then qualify — A 是 A，不过…

HSK6

Formation

形容词/动词 A + 是 + A，(不过/可是/就是) + 转折

Explanation

The pattern repeats an adjective or verb around 是 to concede that A does hold, then follows with a contrast introduced by 不过/但是/可是/就是. So 好是好，不过太贵 means 'good it is indeed, but it's too expensive'. It grants the point partially while raising a reservation. The repeated word can also be a verb: 去是去，就是不想久待 'go I will, I just don't want to stay long'.

Examples

这件衣服 好是好，不过太贵了。
zhè jiàn yīfu hǎo shì hǎo, búguò tài guì le.
This dress is nice all right, but it's too expensive.
这个字我 认识是认识，就是想不起怎么读。
zhège zì wǒ rènshi shì rènshi, jiùshì xiǎng bù qǐ zěnme dú.
This character I do recognize, I just can't recall how to read it.

Note

Concessive: A是A grants A partly, then reserves. The turn word (不过/但/可是/就是) is usually required.

FAQ

A是A（，不过/但…） — what does it mean and how is it used?

'It's true that A, but…' — concede A then qualify — A 是 A，不过…. The pattern repeats an adjective or verb around 是 to concede that A does hold, then follows with a contrast introduced by 不过/但是/可是/就是. So 好是好，不过太贵 means 'good it is indeed, but it's too expensive'. It grants the point partially while raising a reservation. The repeated word can also be a verb: 去是去，就是不想久待 'go I will, I just don't want to stay long'.

A是A（，不过/但…） — how do you form it?

形容词/动词 A + 是 + A，(不过/可是/就是) + 转折

A是A（，不过/但…） — any usage notes?

Concessive: A是A grants A partly, then reserves. The turn word (不过/但/可是/就是) is usually required.

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