A2-40 · Describe actions despite an obstacle
Good intentions
Use obwohl and trotzdem to connect an obstacle with an unexpected action.
About 5 minutes to read · 12 quiz questions
01
Use obwohl for the obstacle
Obwohl means although. It starts a subordinate clause whose finite verb comes last: Ich gehe spazieren, obwohl es regnet. The action happens despite the obstacle.
Ich gehe spazieren, obwohl es regnet.
I go for a walk although it is raining.
Mara lernt, obwohl sie müde ist.
Mara studies although she is tired.
Ben kocht, obwohl er wenig Zeit hat.
Ben cooks although he has little time.
Wir kommen, obwohl der Weg weit ist.
We are coming although the journey is long.
Die Gewohnheit means habit and der Vorsatz resolution. Obstacles such as tiredness or bad weather do not always stop a good intention.
02
Use trotzdem for the action
Trotzdem means nevertheless or despite that. It introduces the unexpected action in a main clause: Es regnet. Trotzdem gehe ich spazieren. The verb follows initial trotzdem.
Es regnet. Trotzdem gehe ich spazieren.
It is raining. Nevertheless, I go for a walk.
Mara ist müde. Trotzdem lernt sie.
Mara is tired. Nevertheless, she studies.
Ben hat wenig Zeit. Trotzdem kocht er.
Ben has little time. Nevertheless, he cooks.
Der Weg ist weit. Trotzdem kommen wir.
The journey is long. Nevertheless, we are coming.
Do not copy obwohl word order after trotzdem. Compare obwohl es regnet with Trotzdem gehe ich spazieren.
03
Begin with obwohl
An obwohl clause can come first: Obwohl ich müde bin, lerne ich. The entire first clause fills one position, so the main verb comes next after the comma.
Obwohl ich müde bin, lerne ich.
Although I am tired, I study.
Obwohl es regnet, gehen wir raus.
Although it is raining, we go outside.
Ich übe, obwohl ich wenig Zeit habe.
I practice although I have little time.
Ich übe, weil ich besser werden will.
I practice because I want to improve.
A reason with weil supports an action; an obstacle with obwohl makes it surprising. Choose the connector that matches what you mean.
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