HSK 4
Correct

A是A,不过……

/ a shì a, búguò…… /
Strokes
https://i.cchatty2.com/filters:format(webp)/fit-in/684x0/img/202005/A是A不过-Chinese-grammar-Cchatty-yyyy-1589851958.jpg

Formula

1
(Topic/Subject) + A 是 A (p),只是 ……

Definition

A是A,不过……, this sentence pattern is usually used in a conversation. 

 

First, use "A是A" to affirm what someone has said, 

then use "只是(可是/但是/不过 )……" to introduce different views and opinions, to deny what was said in "A是A", and add some aspects of not satisfied, regret or not very good. 

The tone is more euphemistic.

 

"A" are usually verbs, adjectives or predicate words, 只是 followed by a verb, adjective phrase, or clause.

Example

A 是 A,不过 ……
(Topic/Subject) + A 是 A (p),只是 ……
1
A
A
  
:
xiǎng
men
我们
一起
yóu
旅游
ma
  
?
B
B
  
:
xiǎng
shì
xiǎng
  
,
zhǐshì
只是
méi
shíjiān
时间
  

A: Would you like to travel with us? B: I'd love to, but I just don't have the time.

2
A
A
  
:
zhù
zài
xuéxiào
学校
fāngbiàn
方便
ma
  
?
B
B
  
:
  
(
zhù
zài
xuéxiào
学校
  
)
fāngbiàn
方便
shì
fāngbiàn
方便
  
,
jiùshì
就是
tài
guì
le
  

A: Is it convenient for you to live on campus? B : (living at school) convenient is convenient, but it's too expensive.

3
A
A
  
:
zhè
jiàn
fu
衣服
hǎokàn
好看
ma
  
?
B
B
  
:
  
(
zhè
jiàn
fu
衣服
  
)
hǎokàn
好看
shì
hǎokàn
好看
  
,
zhǐshì
只是
tài
xiǎo
le
  

A: How does this dress look? B: Yes, (this dress) look good, but it's just too small.

Mistake

A:最近天气很好,明天我们去打网球吧。

B:天气好是天气好,只是明天会下雨。(NOK)

B:(天气)好是好,只是明天会下雨。(OK)

 

A:这件衣服挺漂亮吧?

B:漂亮是漂亮,只是贵了点(NOK)

B:漂亮是漂亮,只是贵了点。(OK)

Exercise

Answer the question with "A 是 A,不过……"

 

1, 这本书的内容很丰富,但是对我来说太难了/太贵了。

2, 自己有车的话出门很方便,但是经常堵车。

3, 自己做饭吃很卫生,但是去餐厅吃饭很方便。