Vocabulary
zwar … aber
/tsvaːɐ̯ ˈaːbɐ/· conjunction
it's true that … but; admittedly … but
First the point you admit, then the but: Das Studium dauert zwar länger, aber … Zwar at the start takes position 1 (verb next); aber takes none.
CEFR B1Frequency ●●●●●
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One word, many lives
Tap a meaning. Real German isn't a dictionary translation.
zwar … aber
admittedly … but
Das Studium ist zwar lang, aber interessant.
The degree is long, admittedly, but interesting.
Word family
zwar … aberaberbutund zwarnamely, to be precisewahrtrue (zwar grew out of ze wāre, 'in truth')
Common combinations
- zwar …, aber …admittedly …, but …
- und zwarnamely, that is
- zwar nicht …, aber …not … but …
Similar & opposite
≈ Synonyms
allerdingsobwohl (in one clause)
Common learner mistakes
- Zwar ich habe wenig Zeit, aber ich komme.Zwar habe ich wenig Zeit, aber ich komme.zwar at the start takes position 1 → the verb comes next. aber takes no position → normal order after it.
Real examples
- Die Ausbildung ist zwar anstrengend, aber man verdient schon Geld.The apprenticeship is hard work, it's true, but you already earn money.
- Zwar habe ich wenig Zeit, aber ich helfe dir gern.I don't have much time, admittedly, but I'm happy to help you.
- Ich komme morgen, und zwar um acht Uhr.I'll come tomorrow, at eight o'clock to be precise.
