X是X，就是/不过... for “It’s X, But …”

Pola

X + 是 + X，就是/不过/但是 + the problem

Saying 好看是好看 means “it is pretty, I admit,” and prepares the listener for a “but.” The second clause, with 就是, 不过, 可是 or 但是, gives the real point, usually a drawback.

这件衣服好看是好看，就是太贵了。

When to use X是X，就是/不过... for “It’s X, But …”

Put the same adjective or verb on both sides of 是: 好看是好看, 大是大, 去是去. This first part agrees with something (“yes, it is X”), but in a lukewarm way. Then the second clause starts with 就是, 不过, 可是 or 但是 and adds the real point, which is usually a weakness or a condition: 这件衣服好看是好看，就是太贵了. 就是 sounds most conversational and means “it’s just that…”.

这个房间大是大，不过有点儿吵。

This room is big, sure, but it’s a little noisy.

他聪明是聪明，就是不太努力。

He is smart, no doubt; he just doesn’t work very hard.

中文难是难，但是很有意思。

Chinese is hard, sure, but it’s very interesting.

这家饭馆的菜好吃是好吃，就是人太多了。

The food at this restaurant is good, but there are just too many people.

Kesalahan umum

Use the same word on both sides of 是: 好看是好看, not 好看是漂亮.
The second clause needs 就是, 不过, 可是 or 但是; without it the sentence feels unfinished.
Don’t add 很 to the first X: say 好是好, not 很好是很好.

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中文难是难，很有意思

Chinese is hard, sure, but it’s very interesting

dàn shì

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When to use X是X，就是/不过... for “It’s X, But …”

Kesalahan umum

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