〜ことは〜が
koto wa … ga
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Meaning
it is true that …, but
X ことは X が repeats the same word to concede a point before adding a reservation: 読んだことは読んだが、内容は覚えていない (I did read it, but I don't remember the content). The first X is the same verb or adjective as the second. It admits the fact while implying it is not fully satisfactory.
Mainly spoken, casual to polite. Common in honest, slightly reluctant answers. In writing, 〜ものの or 確かに〜が are used instead.
Formation
V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
Verb X (plain) + ことは + Verb X + が / けどい-adjective X + ことは + X + がな-adjective X な + ことは + X だ + がTense: past on both (読んだことは読んだ) or on the second only (読むことは読んだ)
Visual diagram
- この本は読んだthe concession (same word)
- ことはit is true that
- 読んだがsame word again + が
- 、内容はよく覚えていないthe reservation
Natural examples
この本は読んだことは読んだが、内容はよく覚えていない。
このほんはよんだことはよんだが、ないようはよくおぼえていない。
I did read this book, but I don't remember the content well.
Concession about reading, then a reservation.
料理はおいしいことはおいしいが、値段が高すぎる。
りょうりはおいしいことはおいしいが、ねだんがたかすぎる。
The food is good, sure, but the price is too high.
Adjective repeated: tasty, sure, but expensive.
行くことは行くけど、遅くなるよ。
いくことはいくけど、おそくなるよ。
I will go, all right, but I'll be late.
Casual けど; a reluctant yes.
彼に会ったことは会ったが、ほとんど話せなかった。
かれにあったことはあったが、ほとんどはなせなかった。
I did meet him, but we could hardly talk.
Past on both sides.
この部屋は広いことは広いけど、駅から遠い。
このへやはひろいことはひろいけど、えきからとおい。
The room is spacious, sure, but far from the station.
い-adjective repeated.
Similar grammar and the difference
"Although": written concession without the repeated word. Compare side by side
確かに〜が
"It is true that… but": no repetition; neutral.
〜には〜が
Similar repetition pattern (行くには行くが); slightly more formal.
〜けど
Plain 'but'.
Common mistakes
- ✗
- 読んだことはあるが
- ✓
- 読んだことは読んだが
- Why
- ことはある is the experience pattern; the concession needs the verb repeated.
- ✗
- 読んだことは食べたが
- ✓
- 読んだことは読んだが
- Why
- Both sides must be the same word.
- ✗
- 読んだことは読んだ。(no reservation)
- ✓
- 読んだことは読んだが、覚えていない。
- Why
- The pattern needs a following が / けど clause.
The reservation usually starts with が / けど / でも. Both slots can be polite: 読みましたことは… is odd; keep plain forms inside and make the ending polite. It often answers a yes/no question honestly but reluctantly.
JLPT N2 tips
On the exam
- Look for the same word on both sides of ことは; that is the signature.
- Distractors include ことがある (experience) and ものの. If the word repeats, choose ことは.
- In 並べ替え, put the repeated word before and after ことは.
Frequently asked questions
What does 〜ことは〜が mean?
it is true that …, but. X ことは X が repeats the same word to concede a point before adding a reservation: 読んだことは読んだが、内容は覚えていない (I did read it, but I don't remember the content). The first X is the same verb or adjective as the second. It admits the fact while implying it is not fully satisfactory.
How do you form 〜ことは〜が?
Verb X (plain) + ことは + Verb X + が / けど / い-adjective X + ことは + X + が / な-adjective X な + ことは + X だ + が / Tense: past on both (読んだことは読んだ) or on the second only (読むことは読んだ). V = verb, N = noun, A = adjective.
When is 〜ことは〜が used?
Mainly spoken, casual to polite. Common in honest, slightly reluctant answers. In writing, 〜ものの or 確かに〜が are used instead.
What is the difference between 〜ことは〜が and 〜ものの?
"Although": written concession without the repeated word.
What is the difference between 〜ことは〜が and 確かに〜が?
"It is true that… but": no repetition; neutral.
What is a common mistake with 〜ことは〜が?
Wrong: 読んだことはあるが Right: 読んだことは読んだが ことはある is the experience pattern; the concession needs the verb repeated.
Quick check
約束の時間に行った（ ）行ったが、誰もいなかった。