obwuel
Although: Obwuel
Obwuel means although. It starts a subordinate clause, so the verb goes to the end: Mir ginn eraus, obwuel et reent.
How It Works
1. Meaning and word order
Obwuel means although or even though. It introduces a subordinate clause, so the conjugated verb goes to the end. A comma always separates the clauses. See The Verb at the End of Subordinate Clauses.
- Mir ginn eraus, obwuel et reent. (We are going out although it is raining.)
- Hien ass komm, obwuel hie krank war. (He came even though he was sick.)
2. Obwuel clause first
When the obwuel clause opens the sentence, the main verb comes right after the comma: Obwuel ech midd sinn, schaffen ech nach. See Starting With a Subordinate Clause.
3. Obwuel or trotzdeem?
Both express a contrast, but they work differently:
- obwuel is a conjunction: it sits in the clause with the surprising fact, and the verb goes to the end: Mir ginn eraus, obwuel et reent.
- trotzdeem is an adverb: it sits in the clause with the result, and the verb follows it directly: Et reent, trotzdeem gi mer eraus.
Both sentences mean the same thing.
4. Related words
For a condition that may or may not be true, use och wann (even if). Before a noun, use the preposition trotz (despite): trotz dem Reen. See Because Of, Despite, During.
Examples (6)
- Mir ginn eraus, obwuel et reent.
We're going out even though it's raining.
Reent, the verb of the obwuel clause, stands at the end.
- Obwuel ech midd sinn, schaffen ech nach.
Although I'm tired, I'm still working.
The obwuel clause comes first, so the main verb schaffen follows the comma.
- Hien ass komm, obwuel hie krank war.
He came although he was sick.
Hien becomes hie before k by the n-rule.
- Ech hunn de Mantel kaaft, obwuel en deier war.
I bought the coat even though it was expensive.
En is the short form of hien and refers to de Mantel.
- Si schwätzt gutt Lëtzebuergesch, obwuel si eréischt zanter engem Joer hei wunnt.
She speaks Luxembourgish well although she has only lived here for a year.
- Obwuel mer net vill Zäit haten, hu mer eis d'Stad ugekuckt.
Although we didn't have much time, we had a look at the town.
A past example: haten ends the obwuel clause, and the main clause starts with the verb hu.
Common Mistakes
Leaving the verb in second place after obwuel.
Mir ginn eraus, obwuel et reent haut.Mir ginn eraus, obwuel et haut reent.In an obwuel clause the conjugated verb reent goes to the end, after haut.
Putting the subject first in the main clause after an obwuel clause.
Obwuel ech midd sinn, ech schaffen nach.Obwuel ech midd sinn, schaffen ech nach.The obwuel clause fills the first place, so the main verb comes right after the comma.
Using obwuel in the clause with the result, as if it were trotzdeem.
Et reent, obwuel gi mer eraus.Et reent, trotzdeem gi mer eraus.Obwuel belongs in the clause with the surprising fact (obwuel et reent). In the clause with the result, use the adverb trotzdeem.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Before Although: Obwuel, learn Because: Well.
Related Patterns
- trotzdeemNevertheless: Trotzdeem
Trotzdeem expresses the same contrast from the other clause, with the verb right after it.
Level 3 - och wannEven if: Och Wann
Och wann means even if, for a condition rather than a known fact.
Level 4 - wéinst / trotz / wärendBecause of, Despite, During
Trotz is the preposition used before a noun: trotz dem Reen.
Level 3 - mee / awerBut and However: Mee and Awer
Mee and awer are simpler ways to show a contrast between two main clauses.
Level 3 - The Verb at the End of Subordinate Clauses
Obwuel follows the general rule that sends the verb to the end.
Level 2 - Starting With a Subordinate Clause
Explains the word order when the obwuel clause comes first.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Practice obwuel in Bubblegum
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