The connecting words OBWOHL, TROTZDEM, and TROTZ often cause difficulty for German learners because they don't know when to use them or where to place them in a sentence. So how do you use them correctly? Let's find out!!!
The connecting words OBWOHL, TROTZDEM and TROTZ often cause difficulties for German learners because they don't know when to use them or where to place them in a sentence. So how do you use them correctly? Let's find out!!!
1. The conjunction Obwohl (although) goes with a Nebensatz
- Obwohl is used when you want to present a problem, a limitation or an obstacle to carrying out another action. For example:
Ich arbeite im Garten, obwohl ich keine Zeit habe.
I work in the garden although I have no time.
Obwohl ich keine Zeit habe, arbeite ich im Garten.
Even though I have no time, I still work in the garden.
- Obwohl always appears at the beginning of the subordinate clause (Nebensatz). Other synonyms for Obwohl include: OBGLEICH and OBSCHON.
2. The adverb Trotzdem (nevertheless) goes with a Hauptsatz
- Trotzdem is used when you want to say that something still is/will be/was/is being done, even when a problem, an obstacle or a limitation exists. For example:
Es regnet heute stark, trotzdem gehe ich spazieren.
= Es regnet heute stark, ich gehe trotzdem spazieren.
It is raining heavily today; nevertheless I will still go for a walk.
- Unlike Obwohl, Trotzdem links two main clauses (Hauptsatz) together. Trotzdem can either stand in the first position in the main clause or in position three, after the verb. A synonym for Trotzdem is DENNOCH.
!!!The end of a main clause can be marked with a comma or a full stop.
Es regnet heute stark, trotzdem gehe ich spazieren.
Oder: Es regnet heute stark. Trotzdem gehe ich spazieren.
3. The preposition Trotz (despite) goes with a noun phrase
- Trotz does not have the function of connecting two sentences and also has no fixed position in the sentence. For example:Trotz des Regens gehe ich spazieren.
= Ich gehe trotz des Regens spazieren.
I go for a walk despite the rain.
- Trotz always goes with case 2 Genitiv:
der Regen → Trotz des Regens
die Müdigkeit → Trotz der Müdigkeit
Knowledge test
Obwohl, Trotzdem hay Trotz?
- 1.
Paul ist krank. ............. geht er ins Büro.
- 2.
Anna isst jeden Tag im Restaurant, ......... sie wenig Geld hat.
- 3.
Sie ist letzte Woche ........ des schlechten Wetters nach Berlin gefahren.