ことは〜が
It is true...but, although, but
Structure
［い］Adjective + ことは + ［い］Adjective(*) + が(1)
［な］Adjective + なことは + ［な］Adjective(*) + だが(1)
Noun + なことは + Noun(*) + だが(1)
(1) けど、けども、けれど、けれども
(*) The same Adjective, Verb, or Noun
Explanation
The phrase ことは～が is used to acknowledge a certain fact (A), while simultaneously introducing a contrasting point (B). This is often translated as 'It's true that (A), but (B)' or 'Although (A), (B)'. A key feature of this grammar is the repetition of the same word before both ことは and が (or けど). This repetition emphasizes the speaker's concession that (A) is indeed a fact, before they present information that goes against expectations.
This pattern can be used with all word types. Note that nouns must be followed by だ before が, while な-Adjectives will often be followed by な, である, だった, or ではない.
- 泳げることは泳げるが、短い距離しか泳げません。It is true that I can swim, but I can only swim a short distance.
- このケーキはおいしいことはおいしいけど、ちょっと甘すぎます。It is true that this cake is delicious, but it is a little too sweet.
- この公園は静かであることは静かであるけど、駅から遠いです。It is true that this park is quiet, but it is far from the station.
- ゲームなことはゲームだけど、勉強にもなる。It is true that this is a game, but it's also educational.
In many situations, ことは～が is used to concede that (A) is indeed a fact, but the speaker wishes to add a personal feeling or observation that runs contrary to what one might expect from that fact.
Examples
この本を読んだことは読んだが、内容がよく分からなかった。
It is true that I read this book, but I didn't understand the contents very well.
掃除はすることはしたが、すぐにまた汚れてしまった。
It is true that I cleaned, but it got dirty again right away.
このケーキはおいしいことはおいしいが、値段が高すぎる。
It is true that this cake is delicious, but it's too expensive.
このアパートは便利なことは便利だが、家賃が高い。
It is true that this apartment is convenient, but the rent is high.
謝ったことは謝ったが、許してもらえなかった。
It is true that I apologized, but they didn't forgive me.
ゲームを買えたことは買えたが、お金がなくなってしまった。
It is true that I was able to buy the game, but I've run out of money.
その映画は面白いことは面白かったが、ちょっと長すぎた。
It is true that the movie was interesting, but it was a little too long.
試合に勝ったことは勝ったが、満足のいく勝利ではなかった。
It is true that we won the match, but it wasn't a satisfying victory.
食べてみることは食べてみたが、あまり好きな味ではなかった。
It is true that I tried eating it, but it wasn't a flavor I particularly liked.
田中：「宿題、終わった？」
山田：「終わったことは終わったけど、あまり自信がないんだ。」
Tanaka: 'Did you finish your homework?'
Yamada: 'It is true that I finished it, but I'm not very confident about it.'
佐藤：「そのカバン、素敵ですね。」
鈴木：「ええ、素敵なことは素敵なんですけど、あまり物が入らなくて。」
Sato: 'That's a lovely bag.'
Suzuki: 'Yes, it is true that it's lovely, but it doesn't hold very much.'
木村：「ピアノ、弾けますか？」
加藤：「弾けることは弾けますが、上手ではありません。」
Kimura: 'Can you play the piano?'
Kato: 'It is true that I can play, but I'm not very good.'