Concessive Sentences: “×是×，就是/不过……”

In this pattern “×是×” concedes a quality or state, and the following clause with “就是” or “不过” adds a limitation, a reservation or a contrast.

How it is translated

Depending on the situation: … yes, but … … certainly …, only … … true, however …

× 是 ×，就是 / 不过 + the limitation or reservation

The first clause is granted as true, but it comes with a qualification.

北京大是大，不过这边的路基本上都是正南正北、正东正西的，很好找

大是大 big it certainly is

不过 + 这边的路……很好找 but + the roads here are easy to find

北京 — Beijing 大是大 — big it certainly is 不过 — however / but 基本上 — basically 正南正北 — due north–south 正东正西 — due east–west 很好找 — easy to find

这个房子便宜是便宜，就是离我的公司太远了

便宜是便宜 cheap it certainly is

就是 + 离我的公司太远了 only + it is too far from my company

这个房子 — this apartment 便宜是便宜 — cheap it certainly is 就是 — only / but 离我的公司 — from my company 太远了 — too far

Here “就是” adds a limitation to the positive point just made.

我们想是想了，就是没想出更好的办法

想是想了 think about it we did

就是 + 没想出更好的办法 only + we did not come up with a better way

我们 — we 想是想了 — think about it we did 就是 — only / but 没想出 — could not come up with 更好的办法 — a better way

X 是 X，就是 / 不过 Y

X is granted, and then its limitation or drawback is stated.

大是大，不过……

便宜是便宜，就是……

想是想了，就是……