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Adj + 是 + Adj，但是 … (concede, then object)
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Conceding a quality does not settle a decision
- An item is good, but the price is unacceptable.
- good好(indeed)是good好，but但是too太expensive贵。 — The speaker accepts the quality before raising the price objection.
An item is good, but the price is unacceptable. What does 好是好，但是太贵。 communicate?
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The speaker accepts the quality before raising the price objection. The concession is not a retraction of the quality. The final decision depends on the objection and context.
Build the form
- The pattern in this lesson is Adj + (indeed)是 + Adj，but但是 … (concede, then object). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
- Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.
good好(indeed)是good好，but但是too太expensive贵。
Using the lesson pattern in this demonstrated example: It's good all right, but too expensive: 好 ____ 好，但是太贵。
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Adj + 是 + Adj，但是 … = X, sure, but …: 好是好,但是太贵.
Read examples in context
- In the opening example, good好(indeed)是good好，but但是too太expensive贵。: The speaker accepts the quality before raising the price objection.
- Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.
What does 好是好 do before 但是?
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It admits the merit, then 但是 raises the catch.
Know the boundary
- The concession is not a retraction of the quality.
- The final decision depends on the objection and context.
The adjective is repeated around 是 (好是好).
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Yes — Adj + 是 + (same) Adj: 好是好, 贵是贵.
In the opening situation: The speaker accepts the quality before raising the price objection.
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The concession is not a retraction of the quality. The final decision depends on the objection and context. The speaker accepts the quality before raising the price objection.
Use the distinction
- The speaker accepts the quality before raising the price objection.
- The concession is not a retraction of the quality. The final decision depends on the objection and context.
Read the full reference: HSK 4 grammar — Complex sentence patterns.
An item is good, but the price is unacceptable. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.
This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.