Conceding a point with "shi"
Structure
"...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.
Adjective + 是 + Adjective + 但是
Examples
- 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
Sources and further reading
Books
- Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition (pp. 180) →buy
- Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar: A Practical Guide (pp. 258) →buy
- Short-term Spoken Chinese: Elementary (汉语口语速成基础篇) (pp. 23) →buy
- Chinese Grammar - Broken down into 100 items - Basic and Intermediate Levels (汉语语法百项讲练 - 初中级) (pp. 254) →buy
- Boya Chinese Lower Intermediate 1 (博雅汉语准中级加速篇) (pp. 12) →buy
