A 是 A，可是…
it’s A all right, but …
Structure
A 是 A ， 可是／但是／就是 更重要的一面
What it means
“It’s A all right, but …”: you grant a point, then turn to the one that counts. The second half wins the argument.
How it is built
A + 是 + A，可是／但是／就是 + the side that matters: 这套房子好是好，就是离地铁站太远了 (the flat is nice, sure, but it’s too far from the metro).
When to use it
Spoken and persuasive. Works with adjectives (贵是贵) and verbs (去是去，可是我不能待太久).
Watch out
✗ 很贵是很贵 ✓ 贵是贵: keep the repeated word bare. Do not stop after A 是 A: the listener expects the turn with 可是 or 就是.
Examples
工资低是低，可是踏实啊！
The pay is low, sure, but it’s secure!
这套房子好是好，就是离地铁站太远了。
The flat is nice, no doubt about it, but it’s too far from the metro.
去是去，可是我不能待太久。
I’ll go, all right, but I can’t stay long.
Learn this in Lesson 63 · HSK 6: 考公热 (The rush for government jobs)
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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