HSK 7
话（说）是这么说，不过/可/可是⋯⋯
huà （ shuō ） shì zhè me shuō ， bú guò / kě / kě shì ⋯ ⋯
Using "话是这么说，不过/可/可是" to acknowledge a viewpoint but give an exception
Explanation
话（说）是这么说，不过/可/可是⋯ is a fixed colloquial pattern (a phrase habitually used in speech) used first to concede a viewpoint, and then to put forward a contrary idea or an exception.
话是这么说 (huà shì zhème shuō) / 说是这么说 (shuō shì zhème shuō), + 不过/可/可是 (bùguò / kě / kěshì, but) + the contrasting addition. Literal meaning: 'that may be so, but...'.
in conversation, when you want to disagree gently — first acknowledging that the other party has a point, and only then raising a different point, avoiding a blunt denial.
this is spoken language, not used in formal documents.
forgetting the contrasting 不过/可/可是 clause that follows (just saying 话是这么说 leaves it incomplete); and using this pattern in formal argumentative writing — it is purely colloquial.
Examples
That may be true, but she still isn't used to it.
That may be so, but if the other side really does this, then there's nothing we can do either.
Practice
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Learn “话（说）是这么说，不过/可/可是⋯⋯” effectively
The grammar point “话（说）是这么说，不过/可/可是⋯⋯” (Using "话是这么说，不过/可/可是" to acknowledge a viewpoint but give an exception) is one of the key structures at HSK 7. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
Study tip: read the examples aloud many times to build a natural reflex. Then try making your own sentences for your own situations. Use the audio button to hear and practice accurate pronunciation.
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