kvankam

Although

Level 4

Kvankam names something that could hinder the action but does not.

How It Works

WordExampleMeaning
kvankamKvankam pluvas, ni promenas en la parko.Although it is raining, we walk in the park.
eĉ seEĉ se vi petus min, mi ne irus tien.Even if you asked me, I would not go there.

With kvankam the fact is real, and the main clause is about something that happened in spite of it. A comma separates the two clauses.

The words tamen (however) and sed (but) do the same job in other sentences, but sed does not help a kvankam sentence. After a kvankam clause you may add tamen to the main clause: Kvankam mi ne volis, mi tamen faris tion.

The clause can be short, with the verb left out: Kvankam laca, Ewa helpis ĉiujn. Before a noun, use the preposition malgraŭ instead.

Examples (5)

  1. Kvankam pluvas, ni promenas en la parko.

    Although it is raining, we walk in the park.

    The rain is a fact that does not stop the walk.

  2. Ana venis al la kunveno, kvankam ŝi estis malsana.

    Ana came to the meeting, although she was ill.

    The illness did not keep Ana away.

  3. Kvankam Kenji lernas Esperanton nur kvar monatojn, li jam parolas tre bone.

    Although Kenji has been learning Esperanto for only four months, he already speaks very well.

    The short time does not stop him from speaking well.

  4. Eĉ se vi petus min, mi ne irus tien.

    Even if you asked me, I would not go there.

    Here eĉ se is about a case that is only imagined, so both verbs have -us.

  5. Kvankam laca, Ewa helpis ĉiujn.

    Although tired, Ewa helped everyone.

    A short kvankam part can leave out the verb.

Common Mistakes

  • Adding sed after a kvankam clause.

    Kvankam mi ne volis, sed mi faris tion.
    Kvankam mi ne volis, mi tamen faris tion.

    The kvankam clause already shows the contrast. Use tamen in the main clause, or drop kvankam and write Mi ne volis, sed mi tamen faris tion.

How It Connects

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

kvankamLevel 4Although

Learn This First

Kvankam starts a clause that is true but does not stop the main idea.