nichtsdestoweniger

Nonetheless (Nichtsdestoweniger)

Level 5

nichtsdestoweniger is a formal way to say 'nevertheless.' It connects two ideas where the second happens despite the first. It is a single word and usually triggers a verb-second (V2) word order when starting a sentence.

How It Works

The word nichtsdestoweniger is a compound of nichts (nothing), desto (the), and weniger (less). It is a direct translation of the Latin nihilominus.

1. Word Order:
Because it is a conjunctive adverb (a full sentence element), it follows the verb-second rule:

  • Position 1: Nichtsdestoweniger entschied er sich dafür. (The verb comes immediately after the adverb).
  • Middle Field: Er entschied sich nichtsdestoweniger dafür. (It can also appear later in the sentence for less emphasis).

2. Register and Usage:
While you will hear trotzdem in daily conversation, nichtsdestoweniger is reserved for 'high' German. Using it in a casual chat might sound overly dramatic or ironic. In modern German, the variant nichtsdestotrotz is more common in journalism, but nichtsdestoweniger remains the standard for prestigious formal writing.

3. Combination with 'aber':
It is often used with the coordinating conjunction aber. In this case, aber occupies 'Position 0' and does not affect the word order of the following clause: ...aber nichtsdestoweniger bleibt die Lage ernst.

Examples (3)

  1. Die Verhandlungen waren schwierig; nichtsdestoweniger konnte am Ende eine Einigung erzielt werden.

    The negotiations were difficult; nonetheless, an agreement could be reached in the end.

    Word by Word: The negotiations were difficult; nonetheless could at the end an agreement reached be.

    Notice the inversion: the verb 'konnte' follows 'nichtsdestoweniger' immediately.

  2. Das mag leichtsinnig erscheinen, aber nichtsdestoweniger halte ich an meinem Plan fest.

    That may seem reckless, but I am nonetheless sticking to my plan.

    Word by Word: That may reckless appear, but nonetheless hold I to my plan fast.

    Here, 'aber' is in Position 0, and 'nichtsdestoweniger' is in Position 1, followed by the verb 'halte'.

  3. Er war erst seit Kurzem im Amt, hatte sich nichtsdestoweniger bereits großen Respekt verschafft.

    He had only been in office for a short time, but had nonetheless already earned great respect.

    Word by Word: He was only since short in the office, had himself nonetheless already great respect procured.

    In this example, the adverb is placed in the 'Mittelfeld' (middle field) of the second clause.

Common Mistakes

  • Using incorrect word order (failing to invert verb and subject).

    Nichtsdestoweniger ich bleibe hier.
    Nichtsdestoweniger bleibe ich hier.

    In German, if a conjunctive adverb like 'nichtsdestoweniger' starts the sentence, the verb must come next (Position 2).

  • Writing it as three separate words.

    Nichts desto weniger...
    Nichtsdestoweniger...

    Although it originated as three words, modern German orthography requires it to be written as one single word.

  • Using it in casual spoken conversation.

    Ich habe keinen Hunger, nichtsdestoweniger esse ich Pizza.
    Ich habe keinen Hunger, trotzdem esse ich Pizza.

    While grammatically correct, 'nichtsdestoweniger' is too formal for a conversation about pizza. Use 'trotzdem' instead.

How It Connects

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

nichtsdestowenigerLevel 5Nonetheless (Nichtsdestoweniger)

Learn This First

To understand 'nichtsdestoweniger', a learner must first be comfortable with concessive adverbs like 'trotzdem' and the resulting word order inversion where the verb remains in the second position. Since it is a highly formal register, it builds upon the functional logic of simpler adverbs of contrast.

Words in This Pattern

nichtsdestoweniger