「〜ことは〜が」- Acknowledgment with Contrast

Explanation

〜ことは〜が is a Japanese grammatical structure used to acknowledge a certain fact or situation while simultaneously introducing a contrasting or supplementary point. It essentially means "while it is true that..., but..." This pattern connects two parts of a sentence, with the first part acknowledging something and the second part providing a contrasting or additional perspective.

Grammar Pattern

Grammar Point	Connection	Explanation
Verb/い-Adjective in noun-modifying form + ことは + Verb/い-Adjective in plain form + が	Verb/い-Adjective in noun-modifying form + ことは + Verb/い-Adjective in plain form + が	Used to acknowledge something while introducing a contrasting or supplementary point.
Noun + な + ことは + Noun + だ + が	Noun + な + ことは + Noun + だ + が	Used to acknowledge something while introducing a contrasting or supplementary point.

Basic Usage

〜ことは〜が is used to acknowledge a fact while introducing a contrasting or supplementary point. Both parts of the sentence must use the same verb or adjective.

Examples

• レポートれぽーとは最後さいごまで書かき終おわったことは書かき終おわったんですが、まだ足たりない部分ぶぶんもあります。
• Repooto wa saigo made kakiowatta koto wa kakiowattan desu ga, mada tarinai bubun mo arimasu.
• I have finished writing the report, but there are still some parts that are lacking.
  

• この料理りょうりは美味おいしいことは美味おいしいが、ちょっと高たかいです。
• Kono ryouri wa oishii koto wa oishii ga, chotto takai desu.
• This dish is delicious, but it's a bit expensive.
  

Deep Dive

Let’s explore the usage of 〜ことは〜が in more detail through a few examples:

Example 1

• 日本語にほんごを話はなすことは話はなすが、まだあまり上手じょうずではありません。
• Nihongo o hanasu koto wa hanasu ga, mada amari jouzu de wa arimasen.
• I can speak Japanese, but I’m not very good at it yet.
  

Example 2

• 彼かれは来きたことは来きたが、すぐに帰かえってしまいました。
• Kare wa kita koto wa kita ga, sugu ni kaette shimaimashita.
• He did come, but he left right away.
  

Comparison and Differences

〜ことは〜が has some differences compared to other similar expressions like 〜ものの and 〜とはいえ. Although they all express contrast, there are subtle differences in usage.

Expression	Pattern	Meaning	Example
〜ことは〜が	Verb/Adjective + ことは + Verb/Adjective + が	While it is true that..., but...	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、少すこし長ながすぎます。
〜ものの	Verb/Adjective + ものの	Although..., but...	車くるまを買かったものの、あまり使つかっていません。
〜とはいえ	Verb/Adjective + とはいえ	Although..., but...	彼かれは忙いそがしいとはいえ、家族かぞくとの時間じかんを大切たいせつにしています。

Real-Life Scenarios

• Used in everyday conversations to acknowledge something while introducing a contrasting point.
• Can also be used in formal settings to evaluate a certain fact.

Examples

• 彼かれは勉強べんきょうすることはするが、効率こうりつが悪わるいです。
• Kare wa benkyou suru koto wa suru ga, kouritsu ga warui desu.
• He does study, but his efficiency is low.
  

• 私わたしは運動うんどうすることはするが、あまり好すきではありません。
• Watashi wa undou suru koto wa suru ga, amari suki de wa arimasen.
• I do exercise, but I don’t really like it.
  

Summary

〜ことは〜が is a highly practical Japanese grammar structure that helps acknowledge a fact while introducing a contrasting or supplementary point. By understanding its basic usage and differences from similar expressions, you can use this structure more flexibly in Japanese conversations.