Contrastive додека

Whereas

Level 5Sounds Like dodeka za sprotivstavuvan̂e

Додека can mean whereas: Јас работам, додека тој спие. (I am working, whereas he is sleeping.) It compares two people, places or things side by side.

How It Works

From time to contrast. The basic meaning of додека is while, two things at the same time (see додека). When the two things are very different, the sentence becomes a comparison: Јас работам, додека тој спие. Both happen now, but the point is how different they are.

Any time, any aspect. In the contrast use, the two halves can be at different times, and perfective verbs are fine:

  • Ана заврши медицина, додека сестра ѝ студира право. (Ana finished medicine, whereas her sister is studying law.)
  • Во Скопје врнеше, додека во Охрид беше сончево. (It rained in Skopje, whereas it was sunny in Ohrid.)

Position. The додека clause usually comes second, after a comma. It can also open the sentence: Додека некои живеат во изобилство, други немаат ни леб. (While some live in plenty, others do not even have bread.)

Додека or а? Both compare two facts: Јас работам, а тој спие. А is the everyday word (see да, не, и and а); додека sounds more careful and is typical of the standard written language.

Not "although". English "while" can also mean although: "While I understand you, I can't help." Macedonian додека does not have that meaning. Use иако: Иако те разбирам, не можам да ти помогнам.

Examples (6)

  1. Јас работам, додека тој спие.

    I am working, whereas he is sleeping.

    Word by Word: I work, while he sleeps.

  2. Мојот брат сака планина, додека јас сакам море.

    My brother loves the mountains, whereas I love the sea.

    Word by Word: My-the brother likes mountain, while I like sea.

  3. Ана заврши медицина, додека сестра ѝ студира право.

    Ana finished medicine, whereas her sister is studying law.

    Word by Word: Ana finished medicine, while sister to-her studies law.

    The two halves happen at different times, so додека can only compare them here.

  4. Во Скопје врнеше, додека во Охрид беше сончево.

    It rained in Skopje, whereas it was sunny in Ohrid.

    Word by Word: In Skopje was-raining, while in Ohrid was sunny.

  5. Додека некои живеат во изобилство, други немаат ни леб.

    While some people live in plenty, others do not even have bread.

    Word by Word: While some live in abundance, others not-have even bread.

  6. Првиот дел е лесен, додека вториот бара многу време.

    The first part is easy, whereas the second takes a lot of time.

    Word by Word: First-the part is easy, while second-the requires much time.

Common Mistakes

  • Using додека to mean although.

    Додека те разбирам, не можам да ти помогнам.
    Иако те разбирам, не можам да ти помогнам.

    The intended meaning is although. Додека only compares two facts or means while, so here it sounds like "as long as I understand you, I can't help you". Use иако.

How It Connects

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Contrastive додекаLevel 5Whereas

Learn This First

Whereas combines додека and contrast.

Words in This Pattern

а