hoci

Although: Hoci

Level 3

Hoci pršalo, išli sme von. (Although it was raining, we went out.) Prišiel, hoci bol chorý. (He came even though he was ill.)

How It Works

Either order

  • Hoci bol unavený, pracoval ďalej. (Although he was tired, he kept working.)
  • Pracoval ďalej, hoci bol unavený. (He kept working although he was tired.)

Adding emphasis

The main clause can add predsa or aj tak: Hoci nemal čas, predsa nám pomohol. (Although he had no time, he still helped us.) You don't need ale in the main clause. English does not say although ... but either.

Hoci or ale

The same idea can be said with And, But and Or: Pršalo, ale išli sme von. Hoci makes the contrast part of one sentence.

Similar words

The shorter hoc is bookish. Even Though means the same and is very common in speech.

Hoci as a particle

Before a word or phrase, hoci can also mean even, any, if you like: Môžeš prísť hoci aj zajtra. (You can come even tomorrow.) The same idea is in Anyone at All.

Comma

Always separate the hoci clause with a comma.

Examples (6)

  1. Hoci pršalo, išli sme von.

    Although it was raining, we went out.

    Word by Word: Although it-rained, went we out.

    The hoci clause comes first.

  2. Prišiel do práce, hoci bol chorý.

    He came to work even though he was ill.

    The hoci clause comes second.

  3. Hoci nemal čas, predsa nám pomohol.

    Although he had no time, he still helped us.

    Predsa adds emphasis: he helped anyway.

  4. Hoci je ten kabát drahý, aj tak si ho kúpim.

    Although that coat is expensive, I'll buy it anyway.

    Aj tak means anyway.

  5. Hoci sa učím po slovensky len rok, už veľa rozumiem.

    Although I've only been learning Slovak for a year, I already understand a lot.

    Slovak uses the present tense for something that is still going on.

  6. Môžeš prísť hoci aj zajtra.

    You can come even tomorrow, if you like.

    Here hoci is a particle meaning even or any, not although.

Common Mistakes

  • Leaving out the comma.

    Hoci pršalo išli sme von.
    Hoci pršalo, išli sme von.

    A clause starting with hoci is always separated from the main clause by a comma.

  • Using keď when you mean although. The intended meaning is "Although it was raining, we went out".

    Keď pršalo, išli sme von.
    Hoci pršalo, išli sme von.

    Keď means when, so the sentence says you went out when it rained. Hoci shows that the rain did not stop you.

How It Connects

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

hociLevel 3Although: Hoci

Learn This First

Before Although: hoci, learn And, But and Or. hoci joins a contrasting clause, a stronger kind of ale.

Words in This Pattern