是 (concessive) vs 虽然: expressing “although” with a repeated verb/adjective
是 (shì) can be used in a special pattern “A是A” to concede a point before a contrast, meaning “it’s true that A, but…”. 虽然 (suīrán) is the standard conjunction for “although”, used more formally. The key difference is structure: 是 repeats the word, while 虽然 introduces a full clause.
Both 是 (in the concessive pattern “A是A”) and 虽然 express concession, but they differ in structure and register. The pattern “A是A, 但是…” repeats an adjective or verb after 是 to acknowledge that something is true, yet implies a contrast—it is compact and colloquial. 虽然 is a formal conjunction that introduces a full subordinate clause (“虽然…, 但是…”). Choose 是 when you want a concise, emphatic concession; use 虽然 in neutral or formal statements.
When to use each
Use in the pattern “A是A” where A is an adjective or verb (e.g., 好是好, 去是去). This structure concedes the truth of A but usually leads to a contrasting point with 但是, 可是, or similar. It is typical in spoken Chinese and informal writing, often for rhetorical contrast or to soften a criticism.
The repeated word in “A是A” is always the same; it cannot take different words. The pattern carries an implication of “only to a certain extent” or “yes, but…”.
Use 虽然 as a conjunction to introduce a concessive clause, followed by a contrasting main clause often marked by 但是, 可是, or 却. It is standard in both speech and writing, suitable for all registers, and can be placed at the beginning of a sentence or after the subject.
At a glance
| 是 | 虽然 | |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | A是A (repeats the same word after 是) | 虽然 + clause (full subordinate clause) |
| Position in sentence | Always within the predicate, after the topic/subject | Usually at the start of the sentence, but can follow the subject |
| Register | Colloquial, informal | Neutral to formal |
| Tone | Emphatic, often used to concede before a mild complaint | Neutral, factual concession |
| Negation | Rarely used; the A must be a positive statement | Can be used with negative clauses freely |
Examples
- 是好是好，但是太贵了。Hǎo shì hǎo, dànshì tài guì le.It is good (it’s true that it’s good), but too expensive.The repetition 好是好 concedes the positive quality before the contrast.
- 是去是去，不过我得早点回来。Qù shì qù, bùguò wǒ děi zǎo diǎn huí lai.I will go (I admit that), but I have to come back early.Verb repeated to concede the action.
- 虽然虽然很累，但我还是想完成。Suīrán hěn lèi, dàn wǒ háishì xiǎng wánchéng.Although very tired, I still want to finish.Standard concessive clause with 虽然.
- 虽然他虽然有钱，却很不快乐。Tā suīrán yǒu qián, què hěn bú kuàilè.Although he has money, he is very unhappy.虽然 after the subject is natural.
- 是这件衣服漂亮是漂亮，但不耐穿。Zhè jiàn yīfu piàoliang shì piàoliang, dàn bú nài chuān.This dress is beautiful (admittedly), but not durable.Adjective重复 pattern.
Common mistakes
- Using “好是” (single 是) instead of repeating the adjective: correct pattern is 好是好, not 好是.
- Replacing 虽然 with the concessive 是 in formal writing; 是 pattern is too colloquial.
- Misunderstanding 好是好 as meaning 'good is good' without the concessive implication.
- Using a different word in the repetition: A must be the same word, e.g., “干净是漂亮” is wrong.
FAQ
- When should I use the “A是A” pattern rather than 虽然?
- Use “A是A” when you want a concise, spoken-style concession that repeats the key word for emphasis. For formal writing or when the concession involves a long clause, use 虽然.
- Can 是 in the concessive pattern be used with nouns?
- No. The pattern works only with adjectives or verbs (e.g., 好是好, 去是去). For nouns, you would use something like “虽然他是老师，但是…” – not “老师是老师” in this sense.
- What is the difference between 是 and 虽然 in terms of tone?
- The 是 pattern has a rhetorical, often slightly grudging tone (acknowledging a point before objecting). 虽然 is neutral and simply states a fact of concession.
- Can I use 是 concedively without 但是/可是?
- Yes, in spoken Chinese the contrast may be supplied by context or tone, but the pattern strongly implies a contrast. Usually a contrasting conjunction follows for clarity.