German Conversation · Level 27
90 words
German word
doch
Pronunciation
IPA/dɔx/
Meaning
- adverbthough
Example
Das ist doch nicht so teuer.
It isn't particularly expensive, though.
More examples
Er hat doch nicht abgesagt.
He didn't cancel after all.
Core concept
A small verbal pivot pushes against the current claim and redirects the sentence toward a contrary or corrective point.
Common phrases
doch nicht
not after all
doch mal
just
Similar words
trotzdem: Shows that an action or result remains unchanged despite opposition or obstacles.
dennoch: Shows that a fact or state continues contrary to expectation.
allerdings: Partly acknowledges the preceding point before adding a qualification.
Definition in German
Dient dazu, eine vorherige Verneinung zurückzuweisen oder in einer kurzen Antwort Widerspruch zu äußern.
Word origin
German doch comes from Old High German doh and is cognate with English though, while its German uses developed into contrastive and emphatic functions.
Usage tips
- In a reply, "Doch!" contradicts a negative statement or question, whereas "Nein" confirms the negative answer.
Other meanings
- neverthelessadverb
- yesinterjection
- indeedadverb