X（倒）是X（了），…… for “It’s X All Right, But …”

Pola

X + (倒) 是 + X (+ 了)，就是 / 可是 / 不过 / 但是 + other side

Say a word, then 是, then the same word again to agree that it is true, and follow with a clause that turns: the real point comes after 就是, 可是 or 不过.

这件衣服好看倒是好看，就是太贵了。

When to use X（倒）是X（了），…… for “It’s X All Right, But …”

Repeat an adjective or verb on both sides of 是: X是X. This admits that X is true, and the next clause brings in the other side: 这件衣服好看倒是好看，就是太贵了 “This dress is pretty all right, it’s just too expensive.” The second clause starts with a turning word such as 就是, 可是, 不过 or 但是, and it carries the speaker’s real point. 倒 before 是 adds “admittedly” and makes the admission sound fair and polite; it is optional. For an action that has already happened, put 了 after the second X: 写是写了 “I did write it.”

作业我写是写了，可是还没检查。

I did write my homework, but I haven’t checked it yet.

这个房间大是大，不过离学校有点远。

This room is big all right, but it’s a bit far from school.

他去倒是去了，可是没见到王老师。

He did go, but he didn’t get to see Mr Wang.

这道题难倒是不难，就是有点麻烦。

This problem isn’t hard as such, it’s just a bit fiddly.

Kesalahan umum

Repeat exactly the same word: 好是好 or 大是大, not 好是很好.
Don’t stop after the first clause: the turn with 就是, 可是, 不过 or 但是 is the point of the sentence.
For a finished action put 了 after the second word: 写是写了, not 写了是写.

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我们见是见过，不太熟

We have met, but we don’t know each other well

dàn shì

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When to use X（倒）是X（了），…… for “It’s X All Right, But …”

Kesalahan umum

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