nors ir
Even Though with Nors Ir
Nors ir means even though: Nors ir pavargęs, jis dirbo toliau. (Even though he was tired, he kept working.) The ir adds weight: the speaker emphasizes the obstacle while keeping the main statement true.
How It Works
1. With a full clause
- Nors ir lijo, išėjome pasivaikščioti. (Even though it was raining, we went for a walk.)
- Jis viską suprato, nors ir nieko nesakė. (He understood everything, even though he said nothing.)
A comma separates the two clauses, and the nors ir clause can come first or second.
2. Without a verb
A short phrase with an adjective or participle is very common: Nors ir brangus, šis telefonas labai geras. (Even though it is expensive, this phone is very good.) The adjective or participle agrees with the subject:
- nors ir pavargęs for a man
- nors ir pavargusi for a woman
- nors ir pavargę for several people
3. Where ir goes
Ir can also move later, before the word it stresses: Nors jis ir pavargo, dirbo toliau. The meaning stays the same.
4. Nors, nors ir or net jei?
- Nors: although.
- Nors ir: even though, a little stronger.
- Net jei: even if, for something that may or may not happen.
As with nors, the main clause may add vis dėlto: Nors ir pavargęs, jis vis dėlto dirbo toliau.
Examples (5)
- Nors ir pavargęs, jis dirbo toliau.
Even though he was tired, he kept working.
Word by Word: Although and tired, he worked further.
- Nors ir lijo, išėjome pasivaikščioti.
Even though it was raining, we went for a walk.
Word by Word: Although and it-rained, we-went-out to-walk.
- Nors ir brangus, šis telefonas labai geras.
Even though it is expensive, this phone is very good.
Word by Word: Although and expensive, this phone very good.
- Nors ir pavargusi, mama dar paskaitė vaikams pasaką.
Even though she was tired, Mum still read the children a story.
Word by Word: Although and tired, mother still read to-children story.
The subject is mama, so the participle takes the feminine form pavargusi.
- Jis viską suprato, nors ir nieko nesakė.
He understood everything, even though he said nothing.
Word by Word: He everything understood, although and nothing not-said.
Common Mistakes
Not matching the participle to the subject.
Nors ir pavargęs, mama dar paskaitė vaikams pasaką.Nors ir pavargusi, mama dar paskaitė vaikams pasaką.The participle describes mama, so it must be feminine: pavargusi. Pavargęs is the masculine form.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Nors ir strengthens concession and can introduce a full clause or a shortened agreeing phrase.
Related Patterns
- net jeiEven if
Net jei means even if, for something that may or may not happen.
Level 4 - kad ir kas / kad ir kaipWhatever and However with Kad Ir
Kad ir concedes every possibility, while nors ir commonly introduces a particular circumstance.
Level 5 - vis dėlto / vis tiekNevertheless and Anyway
The main clause after nors ir often adds vis dėlto (still, nevertheless).
Level 4 - Past Active Participle: -ęs, -usiPast Active Participle
Nors ir often stands before a past active participle such as pavargęs or pavargusi.
Level 4
Words in This Pattern
Practice nors ir in Bubblegum
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