～ことは…が

～koto wa... ga

JLPT N3 Chapter 72: Everyday spoken shortcuts, 7 of 8

Formation

Verb-casual + ことは + が, い-Adjective + ことは + が, な-Adjective + だ + ことは + が, Noun + だ + ことは + が

Indicates that while something may be true or valid, there is another contrasting point.

When to use

X ことは X が: it is X, admittedly, but (高いことは高いが).

Explanation

The ～ことは…が grammar point is used to express that although something might be true, there is another point or fact that is being contrasted with it. It can be translated as 'it may be true but...', 'it is that... however...', etc. The formation differs depending on whether it is used with a verb, い-adjective, な-adjective, or noun.

Example sentences

この映画えいがは面白おもしろいことは面白おもしろいが、ちょっと長ながすぎる。

This movie may be interesting, but it is a bit too long.

Kono eiga wa omoshiroi koto wa omoshiroi ga, chotto naga-sugiru.
彼かれは親切しんせつなことは親切しんせつだが、少すこし無口むくちだ。

He may be kind, but he is a bit quiet.

Kare wa shinsetsu na koto wa shinsetsu da ga, sukoshi mukuchi da.
このゲームは難むずかしいことは難むずかしいが、やめられない。

This game may be difficult, but I can't stop playing.

Kono geemu wa muzukashii koto wa muzukashii ga, yamerarenai.
彼女かのじょは美うつくしいことは美うつくしいが、ちょっと高飛車たかびしゃだ。

She may be beautiful, but she is a bit arrogant.

Kanojo wa utsukushii koto wa utsukushii ga, chotto koubisha da.

Concession (Even Though / Although / Despite)

Compare when to use each