B1-22 · Express a contrast with obwohl and trotzdem
Work-life balance
Describe unexpected contrasts with obwohl, trotzdem and zwar ... aber while keeping each clause's word order.
About 5 minutes to read · 13 quiz questions
01
Although work is busy
Obwohl introduces a fact that makes the main statement unexpected. Its clause sends the finite verb to the end. In this fictional week, Eva protects her free time despite a heavy workload.
Eva macht eine Pause, obwohl sie viel arbeitet.
Eva takes a break although she works a lot.
Obwohl der Tag stressig ist, geht Eva spazieren.
Although the day is stressful, Eva goes for a walk.
Ben trifft Freunde, obwohl er müde ist.
Ben meets friends although he is tired.
Obwohl wir wenig Zeit haben, essen wir gemeinsam.
Although we have little time, we eat together.
Die Arbeitsbelastung is workload and die Freizeit is free time. Obwohl is a subordinating conjunction, so compare obwohl sie viel arbeitet with the main clause sie arbeitet viel.
02
Nevertheless, I stop
Trotzdem means nevertheless. It belongs to a main clause, not a verb-final subordinate clause. If Trotzdem comes first, the finite verb follows immediately: Trotzdem macht Eva eine Pause.
Eva ist müde. Trotzdem geht sie spazieren.
Eva is tired. Nevertheless, she goes for a walk.
Die Aufgabe ist dringend. Trotzdem mache ich eine Pause.
The task is urgent. Nevertheless, I take a break.
Wir haben viel zu tun. Trotzdem gehen wir pünktlich nach Hause.
We have a lot to do. Nevertheless, we go home on time.
Ben hat Feierabend. Trotzdem liest er noch E-Mails.
Ben has finished work. Nevertheless, he still reads emails.
Der Feierabend is the end of the working day or the time after work. Compare Obwohl Eva müde ist, geht sie spazieren with Eva ist müde. Trotzdem geht sie spazieren.
03
Admit one point, then contrast
Zwar ... aber acknowledges one point before adding a contrasting one. Both parts can be main clauses. Zwar does not send a verb to the end; aber does not occupy the first position of its clause.
Eva arbeitet zwar viel, aber sie hat am Wochenende frei.
Eva does work a lot, but she has the weekend off.
Ben ist zwar erschöpft, aber er schläft schlecht.
Ben is exhausted, but he sleeps badly.
Wir haben zwar wenig Freizeit, aber wir treffen Freunde.
We have little free time, but we meet friends.
Die Arbeit ist zwar interessant, aber die Belastung ist hoch.
The work is interesting, but the workload is high.
Erschöpfung means exhaustion; Burnout is also used in German. Here the words describe a discussion about workload. A contrast can show either a helpful habit or a difficulty that remains.
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