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HSK 2.0 Level 6+ HSK 3.0 Level 7–9+ 6 min read

话是这么说 and 话又说回来 for “That’s True, But …”

Use 话是这么说 to accept someone’s point before adding a “but”, and 话（又）说回来 to turn around and show the other side.

Pattern

话是这么说，可是／但是……；A。话（又）说回来，B。

话是这么说 accepts another person’s point and then objects; 话又说回来 follows your own point with the other side.

这家饭馆的菜有点儿贵。话又说回来，味道确实不错。

When to use 话是这么说 and 话又说回来 for “That’s True, But …”

话是这么说 means “that’s true enough” or “you have a point”. You accept what the other person said, but you are about to disagree, so it is followed by 可是, 但是 or 不过.

话是这么说，不过真做起来可没那么容易。

That’s easy to say, but actually doing it isn’t so easy.

他做事有点儿慢，话说回来，他从来不出错。

He works a little slowly. Having said that, he never makes mistakes.

这次考试很难。话又说回来，题目都是我们学过的。

This exam was hard. Then again, all the questions were things we had studied.

这个手机太贵了。话又说回来，它真的很好用。

This phone is too expensive. Then again, it really is easy to use.

Common traps

  • 话是这么说 needs a “but” part after it: 可是, 但是 or 不过.
  • The phrase is 话又说回来, not 话又说过来 or 话又说起来.
  • Don’t use 话是这么说 when you fully agree; it tells the listener a “but” is coming.

Targeted drill

Practice this exact pattern before moving on.

这次考试很难。话 说回来，题目都是我们学过的

This exam was hard. Then again, all the questions were things we had studied
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