trotzdem

Nevertheless (Trotzdem)

Level 4

trotzdem = nevertheless / despite that / anyway.
It connects two main clauses and usually triggers inversion (Verb in Position 2).

How It Works

trotzdem is a high-frequency connector used to express concession. It indicates that an action occurs in spite of a previously mentioned obstacle.

1. Word Order
As a conjunctive adverb, trotzdem most often occupies Position 1 in a sentence. Because German requires the finite verb to be in Position 2 (the V2 rule), the subject must move to Position 3.
Example: Es regnet. Trotzdem gehen wir spazieren.

2. Alternative Placement
It can also appear in the middle of the sentence (the Mittelfeld), usually after the finite verb and the subject.
Example: Ich habe wenig Zeit, aber ich helfe dir trotzdem.

3. Register and Nuance
While trotzdem is universal in daily life, it is considered less formal than synonyms like dennoch or jedoch, which are preferred in academic or high-formal writing. Note that allerdings is often used to mean "admittedly" or "however" to limit a previous statement, rather than showing pure concession. You may also encounter the phrase trotz allem (despite everything) to emphasize persistence.

4. Colloquial Subjunction
In colloquial speech (Umgangssprache), you might hear trotzdem used like obwohl with the verb at the end (e.g., ...trotzdem es regnet). While recognized as a common spoken variant, you should avoid this in formal exams and stick to the inversion rule. Interestingly, the stress often shifts to the second syllable (trotzDEM) when used this way, whereas the adverb is usually stressed on the first (TROTZdem).

Examples (5)

  1. Der Film war sehr lang; trotzdem war er nicht langweilig.

    The movie was very long; nevertheless, it wasn't boring.

    Word by Word: The movie was very long; nevertheless was he not boring.

    Here, 'trotzdem' is in Position 1, so the verb 'war' comes immediately after it, followed by the subject 'er'.

  2. Ich bin müde, aber ich gehe trotzdem zum Sport.

    I am tired, but I'm going to sports anyway.

    Word by Word: I am tired, but I go anyway to the sport.

    In this case, 'trotzdem' is placed in the middle of the sentence for a more casual flow.

  3. Es ist teuer. Trotzdem kaufe ich es.

    It is expensive. Even so, I am buying it.

    Word by Word: It is expensive. Nevertheless buy I it.

    A classic example of inversion: Adverb (trotzdem) + Verb (kaufe) + Subject (ich).

  4. „Ich habe kein Geld.“ – „Ich lade dich trotzdem ein.“

    “I have no money.” – “I’ll invite you anyway.”

    Word by Word: “I have no money.” – “I invite you anyway in.”

    Note how 'trotzdem' interacts with the separable verb 'einladen'.

  5. „Du darfst das nicht!“ – „Trotzdem!“

    “You aren't allowed to do that!” – “Regardless!”

    Word by Word: “You may that not!” – “Nevertheless!”

    In spoken German, 'Trotzdem!' can be used as a standalone defiant response meaning 'Anyway!' or 'I'm doing it regardless!'

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'trotzdem' without verb inversion.

    Trotzdem ich gehe nach Hause.
    Trotzdem gehe ich nach Hause.

    Learners often follow English word order ('Nevertheless I go'). In German, 'trotzdem' counts as Position 1, so the verb must come next.

  • Confusing 'trotzdem' with 'obwohl'.

    Trotzdem es regnet, bleiben wir hier.
    Obwohl es regnet, bleiben wir hier.

    If you want to put the verb at the end of the clause, you must use the subordinating conjunction 'obwohl'. 'Trotzdem' is used to start a new main clause.

How It Connects

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trotzdemLevel 4Nevertheless (Trotzdem)

Learn This First

To use 'trotzdem' correctly, a learner must understand German sentence structure, specifically how adverbs placed at the beginning of a sentence trigger verb-second (V2) inversion. It is also helpful to understand the concept of concession, often first learned through the subordinating conjunction 'obwohl', to distinguish between subordinating and adverbial connectors.

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trotzdem