Difference between revisions of "Conceding a point with "shi""
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| − | When conceding a point, we often put emphasis on the point we | + | When conceding a point, we often put emphasis on the point we are conceding, and in Chinese there is a way to do that with 是 (shì). |
== Structure == | == Structure == | ||
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| − | Adjective + 是 + Adjective + | + | Adjective + 是 + Adjective + 但是…… |
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<div class="liju"> | <div class="liju"> | ||
| − | *中国 的 产品 便宜 <em>是</em> | + | *中国 的 产品 <strong>便宜</strong> <em>是</em> <strong>便宜</strong>，<em>但是</em> 质量 不 太 好。<span class="trans">Chinese goods may be cheap, but their quality isn't very good.</span> |
| − | *这 个 东西 好 <em>是</em> | + | *这 个 东西 <strong>好</strong> <em>是</em> <strong>好</strong>，<em>但是</em> 太 贵 了。<span class="trans">This thing is good, but it isn't cheap.</span> |
| − | *这 种 车 快 <em>是</em> | + | *这 种 车 <strong>快</strong> <em>是</em> <strong>快</strong>，<em>但是</em> 不 安全。<span class="trans">That car is fast, but it isn't safe.</span> |
| − | *我 的 老师 教 得 好 <em>是</em> | + | *我 的 老师 教 得 <strong>好</strong> <em>是</em> <strong>好</strong>，<em>但是</em>作业 太多。<span class="trans">My math teacher teaches well，but the assignments are too much.</span> |
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Revision as of 01:35, 9 September 2014
When conceding a point, we often put emphasis on the point we are conceding, and in Chinese there is a way to do that with 是 (shì).
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。Chinese goods may be cheap, but their quality isn't very good.
- 这 个 东西 好 是 好，但是 太 贵 了。This thing is good, but it isn't cheap.
- 这 种 车 快 是 快，但是 不 安全。That car is fast, but it isn't safe.
- 我 的 老师 教 得 好 是 好，但是作业 太多。My math teacher teaches well，but the assignments are too much.
See also
Sources and further reading
Books
- Chinese: An Essential Grammar, Second Edition (pp. 180) →buy
- Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 2 (3rd ed) (pp. 22- 3) →buy
- Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 1 (p. 119) →buy
