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Adj + 是 + Adj，但是 … (concede, then object)
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Nice, but …
- Your friend loves a jacket in a shop. You agree it's pretty, but the price is crazy.
- pretty漂亮(it is)是pretty漂亮，but但是too太expensive贵(completed / change)了。 — "It's pretty, all right, but it's too expensive."
A (it is)是 A，but但是 / but可是 / it's just that就是 …
- Adj (it is)是 Adj concedes a point ("it is …, admittedly"); then but但是 / but可是 / it's just that就是 brings the objection.
- The same word repeats on both sides of (it is)是: good好(it is)是good好, cheap便宜(it is)是cheap便宜.
good好(it is)是good好，it's just that就是too太far远了。
Complete: “It's cheap, all right, but the quality is poor.” 便宜是____，但是质量不好。
Độ khó 1/5 · 100 xu + một phần thưởng nhỏ cho lần hoàn thành đầu tiên trong ngày
The same word repeats on both sides of 是.
Verbs work too
- go去(it is)是want to想go去，but可是have no没time时间。 — "I do want to go, but I don't have time."
- this这本书I / me我to see看(it is)是to see看(completed / change)了，but但是have no没to see看to understand懂。 — "I did read the book, but I didn't understand it."
go去(it is)是want to想go去，but可是have no没time时间。
Build: “I do want to go, but I don't have time.”
Độ khó 3/5 · 200 xu + một phần thưởng nhỏ cho lần hoàn thành đầu tiên trong ngày
A 是 A，可是 ….
Repeat the same word
- Use the identical word on both sides: expensive贵(it is)是expensive贵, not expensive贵(it is)是very很expensive贵.
- The second clause must object; good好(it is)是good好，moreover而且… does not work.
Which sentence is correct?
Độ khó 1/5 · 100 xu + một phần thưởng nhỏ cho lần hoàn thành đầu tiên trong ngày
好吃是好吃，但是太辣了 is right: X 是 X repeats the same word with no 很, then a contrast with 但是. 而且 adds a point instead of objecting.
Versus although虽然…but但是…
- although虽然very很pretty漂亮，but但是too太expensive贵(completed / change)了 is neutral.
- pretty漂亮(it is)是pretty漂亮，but但是… sounds more conversational and shows you have considered the point.
although虽然very很pretty漂亮，but但是too太expensive贵了。
漂亮是漂亮，但是… concedes a point before objecting.
Độ khó 1/5 · 100 xu + một phần thưởng nhỏ cho lần hoàn thành đầu tiên trong ngày
That is the purpose of the pattern.
Recap
- A (it is)是 A，but但是 / but可是 / it's just that就是 … = it's A, admittedly, but ….
- Same word twice; the second part must object.
Read the full reference: HSK 4 grammar — Complex sentence patterns.
Your friend loves a jacket in a shop. You agree it's pretty, but the price is crazy. 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.