tamen

However

Level 3

Tamen means in spite of that.

How It Works

SentenceNote
Mi estas laca, sed mi laboras.Sed alone shows the contrast.
Mi estas laca, tamen mi laboras.Tamen alone shows it too.
Mi estas laca, sed mi tamen laboras.Both words make it stronger.

Sed already shows a contrast, so tamen is not needed with it. When both appear, the contrast is stronger.

Tamen often stands right after the subject: Aigerim estas tre juna, ŝi tamen skribas bonajn artikolojn. It always looks back at the idea before it.

It does not mean then. For the next step in time, use poste or tiam.

Examples (4)

  1. La vojo estas longa, tamen Yuki iras tien.

    The way is long, yet Yuki goes there.

    The long way does not stop her.

  2. Ewa ne parolas bone la francan, sed ŝi tamen komprenas la gastojn.

    Ewa does not speak French well, but she still understands the guests.

    Tamen makes the contrast after sed stronger.

  3. Tomasz estis malsana, tamen li laboris.

    Tomasz was ill, yet he worked.

    Tamen starts the clause that goes against the illness.

  4. Aigerim estas tre juna, ŝi tamen skribas bonajn artikolojn.

    Aigerim is very young, yet she writes good articles.

    Tamen stands after the subject.

Common Mistakes

  • Using tamen to mean then.

    Ni manĝis, tamen ni iris hejmen.
    Ni manĝis, kaj poste ni iris hejmen.

    The first sentence is correct Esperanto, but tamen makes it a contrast: we ate, yet we went home. To put one step after another, use poste.

How It Connects

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

tamenLevel 3However

Learn This First

Tamen shows a contrast, like sed.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.