hai6 zau6 hai6係就係系就系

Jyutpinghai6 zau6 hai6

Yalehaih jauh haih

Definition

Indeed it is; true, but with a reservation or contrast to follow.

colloquialdescriptionscommunication

How it's used

This structure functions as a concessive marker that acknowledges a fact while immediately introducing a contrast or reservation. It is used to concede a point before pivoting to a 'but' clause, often implying that the initial positive point is outweighed by the following negative one. It carries a slightly weary or resigned tone, suggesting that the speaker is being objective about the reality of a situation.

Examples

le1呢gaan1間caan1餐teng1廳hai6係zau6就hai6係hou2好sik6食，bat1不gwo3過hou2好gwai3貴。

This restaurant is indeed delicious, but it is very expensive.

nei5你fan2份bou3報gou3告hai6係zau6就hai6係se2寫hou2好zo2咗，daan6但noi6內jung4容m4唔gau3夠coeng4詳sai3細。

Your report is finished, but the content is not detailed enough.

Common phrases

hai6係zau6就hai6係，bat1不gwo3過

it is indeed, but

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a simple confirmation of 'yes', but it is strictly a concessive structure that requires a follow-up clause starting with 但係 or 不過 to complete the thought.