Adj + 是 + Adj，但是 … (concede, then object)
"Good, yes — but…"
- Adj + to be / is是 + Adj，but但是 … = "(it) is X, sure, but …" — concede, then object.
- good好to be / is是good好，but但是太贵 = "it's good, yes, but too expensive."
- You grant the point, then push back.
Adj + to be / is是 + Adj，but但是 …
- Repeat the adjective around to be / is是 to concede; but但是 adds the catch.
good好(indeed)是good好，but但是too太expensive贵。
- good好to be / is是good好，but但是太贵 = "it's good all right, but too expensive."
Practice
It's good all right, but too expensive: 好 ____ 好，但是太贵。
Adj + 是 + Adj，但是 … = X, sure, but …: 好是好,但是太贵.
Practice
The adjective is repeated around 是 (好是好).
Yes — Adj + 是 + (same) Adj: 好是好, 贵是贵.
A grudging "yes, but"
- It admits the merit before raising the problem.
Explore
Correct or broken?
Adj 是 Adj，但是 … concedes the point with the SAME adjective, then objects.
Practice
What does 好是好 do before 但是?
It admits the merit, then 但是 raises the catch.
Recap
Key idea
- Adj + to be / is是 + Adj，but但是 … — "(it) is X, sure, but …"
- good好to be / is是good好，but但是太贵
- Concede the point, then push back
Read the full reference: HSK 4 grammar — Complex sentence patterns.