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trotzdem

/ˈtʁɔtsdeːm/· adverb

nevertheless, anyway, still

Something speaks against it — you do it anyway. trotzdem takes position 1, so the verb comes straight after: Es regnet. Trotzdem gehen wir spazieren.

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One word, many lives

Tap a meaning. Real German isn't a dictionary translation.

trotzdem
nevertheless (at the start, verb next)

Ich war müde. Trotzdem bin ich zum Kurs gegangen.

I was tired. Nevertheless I went to class.

Word family

trotzdemtrotz (+ Gen / Dat)despiteder Trotzdefiance

Common combinations

  • aber trotzdembut still
  • Danke trotzdem!Thanks anyway!
  • trotzdem nochstill, even so

Similar & opposite

≈ Synonyms
dennoch (formal)obwohl (in a subordinate clause)

Common learner mistakes

  • Trotzdem ich bin gegangen.
    Trotzdem bin ich gegangen.
    trotzdem occupies position 1, so the verb comes right after it (verb second).
  • Trotzdem es regnet, gehen wir raus.
    Obwohl es regnet, gehen wir raus.
    trotzdem is an adverb, not a conjunction. To open a clause with the verb at the end, use obwohl.

Real examples

  • Ich war müde. Trotzdem bin ich zum Kurs gegangen.I was tired. Nevertheless I went to class.
  • Die Wohnung ist teuer, trotzdem nehmen wir sie.The flat is expensive, but we're taking it anyway.
  • Ich hatte keine Zeit, aber ich bin trotzdem gekommen.I had no time, but I came anyway.

Related words