aj keď / i keď
Even Though
Aj keď introduces an obstacle that is real but does not stop the main action: Aj keď pršalo, išli sme von (Even though it was raining, we went out).
How It Works
A real obstacle. Aj keď (literally "also when") works like hoci: its clause names something that could have stopped the main action, but did not. Aj keď bol unavený, pracoval ďalej. It is very common in speech. I keď means exactly the same; it uses the bookish i and appears more in writing.
Even if, for real possibilities. With a future verb, aj keď covers something that may really happen: Aj keď nedostaneme peniaze, budeme pokračovať (Even if we don't get the money, we'll carry on). If you only imagine the situation, switch to aj keby: Aj keby sme nedostali peniaze, pokračovali by sme.
Order and emphasis. The clause can come first or second. When it comes first, the main clause may add predsa or aj tak (still, anyway): Aj keď to bolo ťažké, predsa sme to zvládli. After the main clause, aj keď can also introduce a short afterthought without a verb: Je to pekné, aj keď trochu drahé (It's nice, though a bit expensive).
Keep the aj. Without aj, keď simply means when. Išli sme von, keď pršalo means We went out when it was raining; Išli sme von, aj keď pršalo means We went out even though it was raining. Write aj keď as two words.
Examples (5)
- Aj keď bol unavený, pracoval ďalej.
Even though he was tired, he kept working.
Word by Word: Also when he-was tired, he-worked further.
- Išli sme von, aj keď pršalo.
We went out even though it was raining.
Word by Word: Went we-are out, also when it-rained.
- Aj keď bude pršať, pôjdeme na výlet.
Even if it rains, we'll go on the trip.
Word by Word: Also when will-be raining, we-will-go on trip.
A real future possibility, so the verb is in the ordinary future.
- I keď to bolo ťažké, nevzdala sa.
Even though it was hard, she didn't give up.
Word by Word: Also when it was hard, not-gave-up herself.
- Je to pekný byt, aj keď trochu malý.
It's a nice flat, though a bit small.
Word by Word: It is nice flat, also when a-bit small.
A short afterthought without its own verb.
Common Mistakes
Using aj keď for a situation you only imagine.
Aj keď som bol milionár, pracoval by som ďalej.Aj keby som bol milionár, pracoval by som ďalej.Aj keď som bol milionár states a real fact: even though I was a millionaire. For an imagined situation (even if I were a millionaire), use aj keby with the l-form.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Before Even Though, learn Although: hoci. aj keď is a close relative of hoci.
Related Patterns
- aj kebyEven if: Aj Keby
The imagined version: even if, with the l-form.
Level 4 - keďWhen: Keď
Without aj, keď simply means when.
Level 2 - síce ... aleAdmittedly ... but
Another way to admit a point and then say the opposite.
Level 4 - Bookish i
Explains the bookish i in i keď.
Level 6 - ak / kebyReal Versus Unreal Conditions
The same real-versus-imagined choice that separates aj keď from aj keby.
Level 4
Words in This Pattern
Practice aj keď / i keď in Bubblegum
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