Conceding a point with "shi"

"...是..., 但是..." (...shì..., dànshì...) is a pattern often used when conceding a point in an argument or debate. It's usually indicating that the speaker is conceding a point, but they still have some reservations about the topic at hand. Don't worry, the examples will make this clear.

Here's the basic structure:

Adjective + 是 + Adjective + 但是

Here are some examples to make this pattern a bit clearer:

• 中国 的 产品 便宜 是 便宜，但是 质量 不 太 好。
• 这 个 东西 好 是 好，但是 不 便宜。
• 那 辆 汽车 快 是 快，但是 不 安全。

See also

• Expressing Contrariness with "dao"
• "Not… But Rather…" with "er shi"

Sources and further reading

Books

• Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition (pp. 180) →buy