iako / premda

Although

Level 4

Iako and premda introduce a concession: something happens despite a fact that might suggest the opposite.

How It Works

Iako pada kiša, izlazimo. presents rain as a reason someone might expect us to stay indoors. The main clause cancels that expectation. Premda has the same basic concessive function and is particularly useful in written prose.

The concessive clause can follow the main clause: Izlazimo iako pada kiša. When it comes first, separate it from the main clause with a comma. Do not automatically add a comma before every following dependent clause.

The tense expresses the actual time relationship: premda je bio umoran places the obstacle in the past. For explicitly hypothetical concessions such as “even if,” compare constructions with makar and a conditional.

Examples (3)

  1. Iako je hladno, prozor je otvoren.

    Although it is cold, the window is open.

  2. Premda je vlak kasnio, stigli smo na sastanak.

    Although the train was late, we arrived at the meeting.

  3. Ana je završila izvještaj iako nije imala mnogo vremena.

    Ana finished the report although she did not have much time.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

iako / premdaLevel 4Although

Learn This First

A concessive clause acknowledges a fact rather than giving the cause of the main event.

Words in This Pattern

iakopremda