German: Expressing Contrast with trotz + Noun and trotz + -ing
Learn to use trotz with a noun or an infinitive to mean 'despite' or 'in spite of', and see how it differs from obwohl clauses.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
In German, 'despite' and 'in spite of' are usually expressed with the preposition trotz. Unlike obwohl, which introduces a full clause with a verb at the end, trotz is followed by a noun phrase or, in more formal writing, by an infinitive with zu. This lesson teaches the elementary patterns you need to say things like 'Despite the rain, we went out' and 'Despite being tired, she kept working'. You will learn word order, common nouns that follow trotz, and the difference between trotz and obwohl.
By the end, you can…
- use trotz + noun to express contrast in a simple German sentence.
- recognise and use trotz + infinitive with zu in formal written German.
- choose between trotz and obwohl depending on whether I have a noun phrase or a full clause.
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Trotz des Regens gingen wir aus.
Despite the rain, we went out.
TROTS des RAY-gens GING-en veer ows
Standard written German. The noun phrase follows trotz in the genitive: des Regens.
Trotz dem schlechten Wetter sind wir gewandert.
Despite the bad weather, we went hiking.
TROTS dem SHLESH-ten VET-er zint veer ge-VAN-dert
In everyday spoken German, trotz is often followed by the dative: dem schlechten Wetter. This is common but less formal than the genitive.
Trotz ihrer Müdigkeit arbeitete sie weiter.
Despite her tiredness, she kept working.
TROTS EE-rer MEW-dikh-kite AR-bye-tet-e zee VY-ter
trotz + possessive in the genitive: ihrer Müdigkeit. Useful for abstract nouns.
Trotz vieler Probleme hat er das Projekt beendet.
Despite many problems, he finished the project.
TROTS FEE-ler pro-BLAY-me hat air das pro-YEKT be-EN-det
trotz + plural noun in the genitive: vieler Probleme. The main clause verb comes second.
Trotz starken Regens fuhren wir mit dem Fahrrad.
In spite of heavy rain, we cycled.
TROTS SHTAR-ken RAY-gens FOO-ren veer mit dem FAR-rat
trotz + genitive noun phrase. The main clause begins with the verb because trotz + noun occupies position one.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
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Useful pattern
The core pattern is trotz + noun phrase, followed by the main clause. The noun phrase is normally in the genitive in formal German: trotz des Regens, trotz der Kälte, trotz meiner Arbeit. In spoken German, the dative is also common: trotz dem Regen, trotz der Kälte. The main clause verb comes in position two: Trotz des Regens gingen wir aus. If you want to use a verb instead of a noun, German prefers an obwohl clause: Obwohl es regnete, gingen wir aus. A more formal alternative is trotz + infinitive with zu: Trotz starken Regens gingen wir aus, but this is rare and mainly written.
When to use it
Use trotz when the contrast is a noun or noun phrase: Trotz der Verspätung begann das Konzert pünktlich. Use obwohl when you have a full clause with its own subject and verb: Obwohl der Zug Verspätung hatte, begann das Konzert pünktlich. In everyday speech, many speakers use trotz with the dative, especially with definite articles: trotz dem Wetter. In writing, the genitive is expected: trotz des Wetters. With plural nouns, the genitive often has no ending on the noun: trotz Problemen, but an adjective shows the case: trotz großer Probleme.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Trotz des schlechten Wetters gehen wir heute wandern.
Despite the bad weather, we are going hiking today.TROTS des SHLESH-ten VET-ers GAY-en veer HOY-te VAN-dernWirklich? Trotz meiner Erkältung komme ich mit.
Really? Despite my cold, I'll come along.VIRK-likh? TROTS MY-ner er-KEL-tung KOM-e ikh mitTrotz deiner Erkältung solltest du lieber zu Hause bleiben.
Despite your cold, you should rather stay at home.TROTS DY-ner er-KEL-tung ZOL-test doo LEE-ber tsoo HOW-ze BLY-benTrotz allem möchte ich mitkommen.
Despite everything, I would like to come along.TROTS AL-em MERKH-te ikh MIT-kom-enA little context goes a long way
In formal German, especially in writing, trotz is followed by the genitive: trotz des Regens. In everyday spoken German, the dative is very common: trotz dem Regen. Both are heard, but learners should recognise the genitive for exams and formal texts. In Austria and Switzerland, the dative after trotz is also widespread in speech, but the genitive remains standard in writing.
One thing to watch for
Trotz es regnet, gingen wir aus.
Try this instead: Trotz cannot be followed by a full clause. Use a noun phrase or an obwohl clause: Trotz des Regens gingen wir aus. Or: Obwohl es regnete, gingen wir aus.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1Rewrite with trotz + noun: Obwohl es kalt war, schwammen wir.
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Trotz der Kälte schwammen wir.
The clause becomes a noun phrase in the genitive: der Kälte. The main clause verb comes second. Trotz der Kälte is the standard written form.
2Choose trotz or obwohl: ___ er müde war, arbeitete er weiter.
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Obwohl
Here we have a full clause with a subject and verb: er müde war. So obwohl is correct. If you had a noun phrase, you would use trotz: Trotz seiner Müdigkeit arbeitete er weiter.
3Translate: In spite of the traffic, we arrived on time.
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Trotz des Verkehrs kamen wir pünktlich an.
trotz + genitive noun phrase des Verkehrs. The separable verb ankommen splits: kamen ... an. In spoken German, trotz dem Verkehr is also possible.
Use trotz + noun for 'despite' and 'in spite of'. Use obwohl for a full clause. In writing, put the noun in the genitive; in speech, the dative is common.
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