дарма що

Literary-Current Concessive Дарма Що

Level 6Sounds Like darma ŝo

Дарма що is a literary-current conjunction used to introduce a fact that doesn't stop the main action from happening. It translates to 'although' or 'despite the fact that.'

How It Works

1. Structure and Usage
Дарма що is a compound conjunction that must always be written as two separate words. It usually introduces a full subordinate clause (with its own subject and verb). However, it can also attach to reduced clauses where the verb (usually 'to be') is omitted, such as дарма що молодий (although [he is] young). For extra emphasis in colloquial and literary speech, the particle й is often added: дарма що й...

2. Nuance and Register
While synonymous with хоч or попри те що, it carries a specific stylistic weight. It is most common in artistic literature and expressive colloquial speech. Unlike the formal незважаючи на те що, дарма що suggests a dismissive 'never mind that' or 'it is of no consequence that.'

3. Punctuation
A comma is required to separate the clauses. If дарма що starts the sentence, the comma follows the subordinate clause. If it is in the middle, the comma precedes дарма що.

4. Distinction from 'Дарма'
The word дарма on its own often acts as a predicative meaning 'it doesn't matter' or 'it's okay' (e.g., — Вибачте. — Дарма.). The compound conjunction дарма що specifically means 'although.' A notable exception is the fixed idiom дарма що й казати, which means 'it goes without saying' or 'needless to say.'

Examples (5)

  1. Дарма що текст короткий, він дуже складний.

    Although the text is short, it is very complex.

    Word by Word: No-matter that text short, it very complex.

    Here, 'дарма що' introduces the fact that the text is short, which one might expect to make it easy, but the main clause states it is actually complex.

  2. Він продовжував працювати, дарма що дуже втомився.

    He continued to work, even though he was very tired.

    Word by Word: He continued to-work, no-matter that very got-tired.

    The conjunction connects the action of working with the obstacle of fatigue, emphasizing that the fatigue did not stop him.

  3. Даю тобі цей меч, дарма що ти не сильна.

    I give you this sword, even though you are not strong.

    Word by Word: I-give to-you this sword, no-matter that you not strong.

    A classic literary example (Lesya Ukrainka) showing the concessive relationship between the gift and the recipient's perceived weakness.

  4. Дарма що молодий, він уже багато знає.

    Although young, he already knows a lot.

    Word by Word: No-matter that young, he already much knows.

    This example demonstrates a reduced clause where the subject and the zero copula are omitted, leaving only the adjective.

  5. Дарма що й казати, це була блискуча робота.

    It goes without saying, it was a brilliant work.

    Word by Word: No-matter that and to-say, it was brilliant work.

    This is a fixed idiomatic expression where 'дарма що й казати' functions as a parenthetical phrase meaning 'it goes without saying'.

Common Mistakes

  • Writing 'дарма що' as a single word.

    Дармащо він молодий, він багато знає.
    Дарма що він молодий, він багато знає.

    In Ukrainian, compound conjunctions like 'дарма що' must remain two separate words.

  • Using it as a preposition directly before a noun.

    Дарма що дощу ми пішли гуляти.
    Дарма що йшов дощ, ми пішли гуляти.

    Unlike 'попри' (despite), 'дарма що' is a conjunction and needs a clause with a verb (or a state). You cannot attach it directly to a noun in the genitive case.

How It Connects

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

дарма щоLevel 6Literary-Current Concessive Дарма Що

Learn This First

To understand 'дарма що', a learner needs to be comfortable with basic clause subordination using 'що'. This pattern functions as a literary alternative to 'хоча' (although), requiring the ability to link two complete thoughts where one provides a contrast or concession to the other.

Words in This Pattern

дарма