German for Intermediate Learners: Responding to an Opposing Argument with a Counterpoint
Learn to concede a point and then introduce a counterargument in German using phrases like 'Das mag sein, aber...' and 'Einerseits... andererseits...'. Includes dialogue and practice.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
In a conversation, simply disagreeing can sound abrupt. A more effective approach is to acknowledge the other person's point briefly, then present your counterpoint. This lesson teaches you ready-made German phrases to do exactly that: concede, pivot, and argue. You will learn expressions such as 'Das mag sein, aber...' (That may be true, but...) and 'Einerseits... andererseits...' (On the one hand... on the other hand...). These are standard in both formal and informal discussions and will help you sound thoughtful and persuasive.
By the end, you can…
- acknowledge an opposing argument politely in German.
- introduce a counterpoint using 'aber', 'allerdings', or 'andererseits'.
- structure a balanced argument with 'einerseits... andererseits...'.
- use the concessive subordinator 'obwohl' to contrast ideas.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Das mag sein, aber...
That may be true, but...
dahs mahk zine, AH-ber
Use to concede a point before presenting your counterargument. Slightly formal but common in everyday discussion.
Da hast du recht, allerdings...
You're right about that, however...
dah hahst doo rekht, AHL-ler-dings
A polite way to agree partially and then introduce a contrasting point. 'Allerdings' is more formal than 'aber'.
Einerseits..., andererseits...
On the one hand..., on the other hand...
EYE-ner-zyts, AHN-der-er-zyts
Use to present two sides of an argument. The verb comes second in each clause: 'Einerseits ist es teuer, andererseits ist es gut.'
Ich sehe das anders, weil...
I see it differently because...
ikh ZAY-uh dahs AHN-ders, vile
A direct but polite way to disagree and give a reason. 'Weil' sends the verb to the end of the clause.
Obwohl das stimmt, ...
Although that is true, ...
op-VOHL dahs shtimt
Use 'obwohl' to concede a fact before your main clause. The verb in the main clause comes right after the comma: 'Obwohl das stimmt, habe ich Bedenken.'
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
A common pattern for counterarguments is: concession + contrast. Start with a phrase that acknowledges the other person's point, then use 'aber', 'allerdings', or 'andererseits' to introduce your counterpoint. For example: 'Das mag sein, aber wir haben nicht genug Zeit.' (That may be true, but we don't have enough time.) Another pattern uses 'obwohl' + subordinate clause: 'Obwohl das Argument gut ist, überzeugt es mich nicht.' (Although the argument is good, it doesn't convince me.) Note that after 'obwohl', the verb goes to the end of the clause.
When to use it
Use these phrases in discussions where you want to sound reasonable rather than confrontational. For instance, in a meeting: 'Da hast du recht, allerdings sollten wir auch die Kosten bedenken.' (You're right about that, however we should also consider the costs.) In a casual debate with friends: 'Einerseits ist das praktisch, andererseits ist es zu teuer.' (On the one hand it's practical, on the other hand it's too expensive.) Avoid using 'obwohl' in main clauses; it always introduces a subordinate clause. Also, 'allerdings' is more formal than 'aber' and often appears in written German or polite speech.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Ich finde, wir sollten das Projekt verschieben. Es ist noch nicht fertig.
I think we should postpone the project. It's not finished yet.ikh FIN-duh, veer ZOL-ten dahs pro-YEKT fer-SHEE-ben. es ist nokh nikht FER-tikhDas mag sein, aber der Kunde wartet schon seit Wochen.
That may be true, but the client has been waiting for weeks.dahs mahk zine, AH-ber dair KOON-duh VAR-tet shohn zite VOKH-enDa hast du recht, allerdings riskieren wir dann Fehler.
You're right about that, however we risk mistakes then.dah hahst doo rekht, AHL-ler-dings ris-KEE-ren veer dahn FAY-lerEinerseits stimmt das, andererseits haben wir keine Wahl.
On the one hand that's true, on the other hand we have no choice.EYE-ner-zyts shtimt dahs, AHN-der-er-zyts HAH-ben veer KYE-nuh vahlA little context goes a long way
In German discussions, directness is often valued, but a brief concession before disagreeing is seen as fair and thoughtful. Using 'Das mag sein, aber...' or 'Da hast du recht, allerdings...' signals that you have listened. In formal contexts, 'allerdings' and 'einerseits...andererseits' are preferred over blunt 'aber'. In informal settings, 'aber' is perfectly fine. Regional spoken varieties differ in pronunciation and word choice, but the standard written forms presented here remain the same throughout the German-speaking countries.
One thing to watch for
Using 'obwohl' with the verb in second position, as in 'Obwohl das ist wahr, ...'.
Try this instead: After 'obwohl', the verb goes to the end of the clause: 'Obwohl das wahr ist, ...'. Similarly, after 'weil', the verb goes to the end: 'Ich sehe das anders, weil das nicht stimmt.'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you politely concede a point and then say 'but we don't have time' in German?
Show a sample answer
Das mag sein, aber wir haben keine Zeit.
'Das mag sein' concedes, and 'aber' introduces the counterpoint. 'Da hast du recht, aber...' is also correct and slightly more personal.
2Translate: 'On the one hand it's expensive, on the other hand it's very good.'
Show a sample answer
Einerseits ist es teuer, andererseits ist es sehr gut.
The verb 'ist' comes second in each clause. You could also say 'Einerseits ist es teuer, aber andererseits ist es sehr gut.'
3Combine these sentences using 'obwohl': 'Das Argument ist gut. Es überzeugt mich nicht.'
Show a sample answer
Obwohl das Argument gut ist, überzeugt es mich nicht.
After 'obwohl', the verb 'ist' goes to the end of the subordinate clause. The main clause follows with the verb 'überzeugt' in second position.
To counter an argument in German, first concede briefly with 'Das mag sein' or 'Da hast du recht', then pivot with 'aber', 'allerdings', or 'andererseits'. Use 'obwohl' for subordinate concessions, and remember verb-final order in subordinate clauses.
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