alligevel

Anyway / After All (Alligevel)

Level 4

Alligevel is a versatile Danish adverb used to express that something happens despite an obstacle or contrary to what was expected. It is most commonly translated as 'anyway,' 'nevertheless,' or 'after all.'

How It Works

1. Meaning and Usage
Alligevel is used in four main ways:

  • Contrast: 'Jeg er træt, men jeg træner alligevel.' (I am tired, but I am training anyway.)
  • Contradiction of Expectation: 'Han sagde, han ikke ville komme, men han kom alligevel.' (He said he wouldn't come, but he came after all.)
  • Emphasis/Surprise: 'Det var alligevel utroligt!' (That really is incredible!)
  • Change of Mind: In dialogue, it signals a reversal. 'Nej tak... eller jo, alligevel.' (No thanks... or actually, yes.)

2. Sentence Placement and Nuance
Placement changes the meaning when used with ikke:

  • Central Field (Anyway): When alligevel precedes ikke, it usually means 'anyway' or 'regardless'. E.g., 'Jeg har alligevel ikke råd' (I can't afford it anyway/regardless).
  • Clause-final (After all): When alligevel follows ikke at the end of the sentence, it signals a change of plans. E.g., 'Jeg kommer ikke alligevel' (I'm not coming after all/I changed my mind).
  • Fronting: If you start a sentence with alligevel for emphasis, you must follow the V2 rule, meaning the verb comes second.

3. Synonyms and Nuance
To become proficient in Danish, distinguish alligevel from similar terms:

  • Dog: A more formal version of 'anyway/however'.
  • I hvert fald: Means 'at least' or 'in any case', used when narrowing down a statement rather than showing direct contrast.

4. Pronunciation Note
The 'g' in alligevel is silent. The pronunciation can have stress on both -li- and -vel, with variants that weaken the final stress; do not treat one stress pattern as the only possible form.

As things already stand: Det er dyrt nok alligevel (it is expensive enough as it is) uses the existing circumstances as a reason not to add more cost. Similarly Vi skal alligevel til byen means we are going into town anyway, irrespective of the new suggestion. This is not a general replacement for allerede (already) in every context.

Examples (6)

  1. Det regnede, men vi tog afsted alligevel.

    It rained, but we left anyway.

    Word by Word: It rained, but we took away anyway.

    Here, 'alligevel' shows that the rain (the obstacle) did not stop the action of leaving.

  2. Jeg troede, han var syg, men han kom alligevel.

    I thought he was sick, but he came after all.

    Word by Word: I thought, he was sick, but he came anyway.

    This demonstrates a contradiction of expectation; the speaker expected him to stay home.

  3. Jeg har alligevel ikke tid til at se filmen.

    I don't have time to see the movie anyway.

    Word by Word: I have anyway not time to to see the-movie.

    When 'alligevel' is in the central field before 'ikke', it often means 'anyway' (regardless of other factors).

  4. Jeg kommer ikke alligevel.

    I'm not coming after all.

    Word by Word: I come not anyway.

    Placing 'alligevel' at the end after 'ikke' signals a change of mind or plan (after all).

  5. Vil du have kaffe? Nej tak... eller jo, alligevel!

    Do you want coffee? No thanks... or yes, actually!

    Word by Word: Will you have coffee? No thanks... or yes, anyway!

    In dialogue, 'alligevel' is used to signal a sudden reversal of a previous 'no'.

  6. Alligevel valgte hun at købe bilen.

    Nevertheless, she chose to buy the car.

    Word by Word: Anyway chose she to buy the-car.

    Notice the V2 word order: 'alligevel' (1) 'valgte' (2) 'hun' (3). The verb must stay in the second position.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'alligevel' to change the subject of a conversation.

    Alligevel, hvad skal vi spise?
    Nå, men hvad skal vi spise?

    In English, 'anyway' is used as a transition (Anyway, as I was saying...). In Danish, alligevel normally refers to expectations or circumstances, rather than being a general topic-switch marker. Use 'nå' or 'i hvert fald' for transitions.

  • Incorrect word order when starting a sentence with 'alligevel'.

    Alligevel jeg kom.
    Alligevel kom jeg.

    Danish follows the V2 rule. If 'alligevel' is the first element, the verb must come immediately after it, followed by the subject.

How It Connects

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

alligevelLevel 4Anyway / After All (Alligevel)

Learn This First

To use 'alligevel' (anyway/after all), you need to understand how to form basic sentences with contrastive conjunctions like 'men'. You also need to be familiar with the placement of sentence adverbs in Danish, which follows the V2 word order rule.

Words in This Pattern

alligevel