German word

obwohl

Pronunciation

IPA/ɔpˈvoːl/

Meaning

  • conjunctioneven though

Example

Ich gehe spazieren, obwohl es regnet.

I'm going for a walk although it's raining.

Illustration for obwohl (even though)

More examples

Obwohl er müde war, arbeitete er weiter.

Even though he was tired, he continued working.

Core concept

A plan moves forward while an opposing fact remains true.

Common phrases

  • obwohl es regnet

    although it is raining

  • obwohl ich müde bin

    although I am tired

  • obwohl sie krank war

    although she was ill

Similar words

aber: Joins sentences or clauses with contrasting content.
trotzdem: Signals that something happens contrary to a preceding fact, often in a main clause.
auch wenn: Forms a subordinate clause for a possible contrary condition; the verb comes last.
doch: Indicates a short contrast with what was previously stated, conveying surprise or rebuttal.

Definition in German

Subordinierende Konjunktion für einen Nebensatz, der eine gegensätzliche Tatsache zum Hauptsatz darstellt.

Word origin

Obwohl developed from Middle High German ob wol, combining ob 'if' with wohl 'well' in an older concessive expression.

Usage tips

  • An obwohl-clause sends its finite verb to the end, as in obwohl es regnet.

Opposites

Word lists with this word