German Conversation · Level 6
90 words
German word
trotz
Pronunciation
IPA/trɔt͡s/
Meaning
- prepositiondespite
Example
Er ging trotz des Regens spazieren.
He went for a walk despite the rain.
More examples
trotz der Warnungen nahm sie das Angebot an.
Despite the warnings, she accepted the offer.
Core concept
A person keeps walking through rain while the rain remains a real obstacle.
Common phrases
trotz der Warnungen
despite the warnings
trotz des Verbots
despite the ban
trotz aller Bemühungen
despite all efforts
Similar words
unabhängig von: Acting or deciding without being influenced by a particular circumstance.
ungeachtet: Doing something or remaining in a state despite a particular matter.
ohne Rücksicht auf: Acting or deciding while disregarding a particular matter.
Definition in German
trotz (Präp.) markiert einen Gegensatz oder eine Einschränkung und steht normativ mit dem Genitiv, umgangssprachlich auch mit Dativ möglich.
Word origin
The preposition trotz developed from the noun Trotz, meaning defiance, which came from Middle High German trotz.
Usage tips
- In careful standard German, trotz normally takes the genitive, as in trotz des Regens; the dative is common in everyday speech.