German word

dafür

Pronunciation

IPA/daˈfyːɐ̯/

Meaning

  • adverbinstead

Example

Ich habe kein Geld, dafür habe ich Zeit.

I have no money, but I have time instead.

Illustration for dafür (instead)

More examples

Das alte Radio war kaputt; als Ersatz dafür kaufte er einen neuen Lautsprecher.

The old radio was broken; as a replacement for it, he bought a new speaker.

Core concept

One missing benefit is balanced by another benefit offered in its place.

Common phrases

  • als Ersatz dafür

    as a replacement for it

  • als Ausgleich dafür

    as compensation for it

Similar words

dagegen: Marks opposition or a sharp contrast between two facts or positions.
andererseits: Presents a contrasting point from another aspect or perspective.
stattdessen: Marks a different action or state taking the place of what was mentioned.
trotzdem: Shows that something remains true despite an opposing expectation or condition.

Definition in German

in Bezug auf das Vorhergehende eine ausgleichende oder kontrastierende Eigenschaft nennen; oft ähnlich zu 'anstattdessen' oder 'als Ausgleich' gebraucht

Word origin

Dafür is the pronominal adverb formed from da, meaning that, and für, meaning for, and its meaning depends on the relation to the preceding context.

Usage tips

  • In a contrast such as "Ich habe kein Geld, dafür habe ich Zeit," dafür means "instead" or "in return," not usually "therefore."

Opposites

Word lists with this word