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Konzessive Sätze: obwohl und trotzdem

B1Although and nevertheless

Obwohl es regnet, gehen wir spazieren.

Although it is raining, we are going for a walk.

ERKLÄRUNG

Obwohl means “although” and introduces a subordinate clause with the verb at the end. Trotzdem means “nevertheless” and connects two main clauses. Trotz + Genitiv means “despite” and is followed by a noun phrase.

Use obwohl when the contrast is inside one subordinate clause. The verb goes to the end, so the sentence often starts with the concessive idea and ends with the main result. Use trotzdem when you want two main clauses: the first clause gives the situation, the second clause shows the opposite result. Use trotz with a noun phrase in the Genitiv; it does not take a verb clause. Do not mix obwohl up with weil: obwohl shows contrast, weil shows a reason.

STRUKTUR

Obwohl + Nebensatz, Hauptsatz

The verb in the Nebensatz goes to the end.

Obwohl der Zug verspätet ist, kommen wir pünktlich an.Although the train is delayed, we arrive on time.
Obwohl ich krank bin, gehe ich zur Arbeit.Although I am ill, I go to work.
Obwohl es schon dunkel ist, spielen die Kinder noch draußen.Although it is already dark, the children are still playing outside.

Hauptsatz, trotzdem Hauptsatz

The second main clause starts with the finite verb after trotzdem.

Es regnet, trotzdem gehen wir einkaufen.It is raining; nevertheless, we are going shopping.
Der Film ist lang, trotzdem bleibt er spannend.The film is long; nevertheless, it stays exciting.
Ich habe wenig Zeit, trotzdem schreibe ich dir kurz.I have little time; nevertheless, I am writing to you briefly.

Trotz + Genitiv-Nomen

No verb clause follows trotz; it behaves like a preposition.

Trotz des Staus kommen wir pünktlich an.Despite the traffic jam, we arrive on time.
Trotz der Hitze arbeiten die Kollegen draußen.Despite the heat, the colleagues work outside.
Trotz eines Fehlers war die Präsentation gut.Despite one mistake, the presentation was good.

ÜBERSICHT

Three ways to express concession

Function	German form	Word order	Example
Subordinate clause	obwohl	verb at the end	Obwohl es regnet, ...
Two main clauses	trotzdem	finite verb right after it	Es regnet, trotzdem gehen wir.
Before a noun phrase	trotz	followed by Genitiv	Trotz des Regens ...

TYPISCHE FEHLER

Obwohl es ist kalt, gehen wir schwimmen.
Obwohl es kalt ist, gehen wir schwimmen.
Obwohl is correct because the second clause contrasts with the first one. In a subordinate clause with obwohl, the finite verb must go to the end.
Es regnet, trotz bleiben wir draußen.
Es regnet, trotzdem bleiben wir draußen.
Trotzdem must be followed by a finite verb in a main clause. Trotz cannot stand alone here because it needs a noun phrase in the Genitiv.
Trotz dem Lärm können wir gut schlafen.
Trotz des Lärms können wir gut schlafen.
After trotz, use the Genitiv. The form dem Lärm is Dativ and does not fit here.
Obwohl ich habe wenig Zeit, rufe ich meine Mutter an.
Obwohl ich wenig Zeit habe, rufe ich meine Mutter an.
The verb in the Nebensatz goes to the end. Placing habe before wenig Zeit breaks the word order.

HINWEISE

Trotzdem is common in speech and writing. It often sounds a little stronger than dennoch, which is more formal.
With obwohl, the verb is always at the end of the subordinate clause, even if the clause is very short.
After trotz, remember the Genitiv. In colloquial speech, some speakers sometimes use other expressions, but in standard written German the Genitiv is the safe choice.
If you can change obwohl to trotzdem, the sentence usually needs to become two main clauses.

VERWANDT

Nebensätze mit weil (und denn)because clausesA2 Genitiv: Artikel, Nomen, NamenGenitive with articles and namesB1

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