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Complex Sentence PatternsHSK 4

Conceding a point with 是

This pattern concedes a point by repeating an adjective with 是, often translated as 'may be… but…'. Use 但是 or 就是 to introduce the contrasting statement.

Structure

Adj. + 是 + Adj. ， 但是 / 就是 …

Examples

  • 工作忙是忙，但是我很开心。
    Gōngzuò máng shì máng, dànshì wǒ hěn kāixīn.
    Work may be busy, but I'm very happy.
  • 累是累，但是很值得。
    Lèi shì lèi, dànshì hěn zhídé.
    It may be tiring, but it's really worth it.
  • 好吃是好吃，就是不太健康。
    Hǎochī shì hǎochī, jiùshì bù tài jiànkāng.
    It may be tasty, it's just that it's not very healthy.
  • 这个学生聪明是聪明，就是不太努力。
    Zhège xuéshēng cōngming shì cōngming, jiùshì bù tài nǔlì.
    This student may be smart, it's just that he's not very hard-working.
  • 他女朋友漂亮是漂亮，就是有点奇怪。
    Tā nǚpéngyou piàoliang shì piàoliang, jiùshì yǒudiǎn qíguài.
    His girlfriend may be pretty, it's just that she's is a little weird.

Words that use this