Meaning & Usage
✨ Basic Meaning
It is true that [A], but [B]. / Although [A], [B].
🎯 Primary Function
To acknowledge a fact or state something is true in the first clause, and then present a contrasting or limiting point in the second clause.
📋 Grammar Structure
Verb (Dictionary Form/Plain Form) + ことは + Verb (Dictionary Form/Plain Form) + が
い-Adjective + ことは + い-Adjective + が
な-Adjective + なことは + な-Adjective + だが
Noun + のことは + Noun + だが (Less common, often Noun + は…が or Noun + のは…が used instead)
🎭 Usage Contexts
Formal Situations
Can be used, but less common than in informal speech. Might be slightly more formal when using です/ます forms.
Informal Situations
Very frequently used in daily conversation to soften opinions or introduce counterpoints.
Written Language
Appears in less formal writing like emails or blogs.
Spoken Language
Extremely common in spoken Japanese.
💡 Common Applications
Acknowledging a positive point before mentioning a negative one.
Often used to give a balanced perspective, starting with something positive or agreed upon before introducing a problem or reservation.
Example: このレストラン、美味しいことは美味しいんですが、値段が高いです。 (Kono resutoran, oishii koto wa oishii n desu ga, nedan ga takai desu.) – This restaurant, it’s true that it’s delicious, but the price is high.
Admitting a fact while expressing a personal feeling or opinion.
Used when you acknowledge a generally accepted fact or statement, but want to add your own viewpoint which might be different or limiting.
Example: 毎日運動することは体にいいことですが、続けるのは大変です。(Mainichi undou suru koto wa karada ni ii koto desu ga, tsuzukeru no wa taihen desu.) – It’s true that exercising every day is good for your body, but continuing it is tough.
Introducing a condition or limitation after stating a possibility or ability.
Acknowledging that something is possible or can be done, but with certain caveats or difficulties.
Example: 日本語を読むことはできますが、書くことはまだ苦手です。(Nihongo o yomu koto wa dekimasu ga, kaku koto wa mada nigate desu.) – I can read Japanese, but writing is still my weak point.
Frequency
High frequency, especially in spoken Japanese.
Difficulty
N3
Example Sentences
あの人は、真面目なことは真面目ですが、少し融通がききませんね。
It’s true that that person is serious, but they are a little inflexible.
彼の日本語は上手なことは上手ですが、時々変な言い方をします。
It’s true that his Japanese is good, but sometimes he says things in a strange way.
このカメラは小さいことは小さいが、機能はたくさんあります。
It’s true that this camera is small, but it has many functions.
Notes & Nuances
📌 Important Points
Emphasis on acknowledgement
The first part “ことは〜” explicitly states or acknowledges the truth of the first clause, giving it emphasis before the contrast.
Example: 大変なことは大変ですが、やりがいがあります。(Taihen na koto wa taihen desu ga, yarigai ga arimasu.) – It’s true that it’s tough, but it’s rewarding.
Softer Contrast
Using ことは〜が can soften the contrast compared to just connecting two sentences with が or けれども, by explicitly agreeing with the first point first.
Example: (Direct contrast) この本は面白いですが、長すぎます。(Kono hon wa omoshiroi desu ga, nagasugimasu.) vs. (Softer) この本は面白いことは面白いですが、長すぎます。(Kono hon wa omoshiroi koto wa omoshiroi desu ga, nagasugimasu.) The latter acknowledges the interest more strongly before mentioning the length.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
❌ Incorrect conjugation before ことは
✅ Always use the plain form (dictionary form for verbs, plain form for adjectives, だ for な-adjectives, の for nouns) before ことは.
For example, saying 食べますことは instead of 食べることは is incorrect.
❌ Missing だ or な for adjectives/nouns
✅ Remember な before ことは for な-adjectives and だが for な-adjectives and nouns.
美味しいなことは (incorrect) -> 美味しいことは (correct). 学生のことですが (incorrect) -> 学生のことは学生ですが (correct, or rephrase).
🏛️ Cultural Context
Politeness Level: Can be used in moderately polite contexts (with です/ます) but is often more casual. Useful for polite disagreement or critique by first acknowledging a positive.
Social Situations: Common in everyday conversations, discussions, and expressing personal opinions or reservations.
Regional Variations: Standard Japanese grammar, widely understood.
🔍 Subtle Differences
〜が vs. 〜ことは〜が
〜が simply connects two contrasting clauses. 〜ことは〜が explicitly states or emphasizes the truth of the first clause before presenting the contrast.
When to use: Use 〜ことは〜が when you want to strongly acknowledge or agree with the first part before introducing the contrasting point, often softening the latter point. Use 〜が for a more direct contrast.
〜けど vs. 〜ことは〜が
〜けど is more casual than が. 〜ことは〜が adds the nuance of “it is true that…” which is not present in 〜けど.
When to use: Use 〜けど in casual settings for simple contrasts. Use 〜ことは〜が when you want to specifically emphasize the truth of the first statement before the contrast.
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When to use: undefined
📝 Conjugation Notes
Verbs: Plain form (e.g., 食べる, 食べた, 食べない, 食べなかった) + ことは… い-Adjectives: Plain form (e.g., 寒い, 寒かった, 寒くない, 寒くなかった) + ことは… な-Adjectives: な + ことは… Nouns: Noun + のことは… (often followed by the same noun + だが)
🔊 Pronunciation Tips
Ensure a slight pause or emphasis on ことは before the が clause to clearly separate the acknowledged point from the contrasting one.
🧠 Memory Tips
Think of “ことは” as emphasizing “the fact of…” or “it is true that…”, followed by が for “but”. Visualise it as “Fact (ことは)… BUT (が)… Counterpoint”.
Practice Exercises
このパソコンは新しい＿＿新しいんですが、ちょっと使いにくいです。
ことは
のが
ように
ために
彼、日本語を話す＿＿話すけど、漢字はあまり読めないんだ。
のに
ことは
ように
なら
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