The structure A归A,B归B
The colloquial structure contrasts two concepts, indicating that they are not the same thing. For example, “friendship is friendship and money is money. Don't forget to pay me back”. We should state either verbs or nouns in place of “A” and “B”.
Pay attention
Phrases with the word 归 are most often used as set-expressions.
Examples
我愿意借给你钱,但是朋友归朋友,钱归钱
I don’t mind lending you money. But friendship is friendship, and money is money
wǒ yuànyì jiè gěi nǐ qián, dànshì péngyou guī péngyou, qián guī qián
说归说,做归做
Talking is one thing, doing is another
shuō guī shuō, zuò guī zuò
吵归吵,闹归闹,我们还是一家人
Sometimes we quarrel, and other times we have fun. We are, after all, one family
chǎo guī chǎo, nào guī nào, wǒmen háishi yì jiā rén
Sometimes the structure can be used in a simplified form: A归A. In this case, we should state the concept which was discussed earlier in the place of “A”.
Examples
吵架归吵架,但是他们还是互相爱
Jokes are jokes, but don't hurt his feelings
chǎojià guī chǎojià, dànshì tāmen háishi hùxiāng ài
吵架归吵架,但是他们还是互相爱
Even though they quarrel sometimes, they still love each other
chǎojià guī chǎojià, dànshì tāmen háishi hùxiāng ài
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