obwohl
/ɔpˈvoːl/
The German phrase for "even though" is obwohl.
obwohl is a conjunction used to express a concession, functioning similarly to "even though" or "although" in English.
Meaning: although (conj)
Which one should you use?
While obwohl is a conjunction used to connect a subordinate clause, you should not confuse it with trotzdem. trotzdem is an adverb meaning "nevertheless" and is used to connect two independent thoughts.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a subordinating conjunction, obwohl triggers subordinate clause word order. This means that the conjugated verb must move to the end of the clause.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɔpˈvoːl/
Did you know?
- The component wohl in obwohl originally meant 'well', which adds a strange hidden layer of 'well, although' to the word's history.
- In spoken German, people sometimes use obwohl to start a sentence that logically functions as a main clause, occasionally ignoring the strict subordinate word order in very casual speech.
- There is a 'cousin' word, gleichwohl, which can be used in very formal or old-fashioned writing to mean 'nevertheless' or 'even so'.
Examples in context
- Tom kam, obwohl es regnete.Tom came even though it was raining.This sentence shows how to use obwohl in a clause about the weather.Tatoeba #4812340 by bonny37, translation #3733836 by CK
- Ich ging aus, obwohl es regnete.I went out even though it was raining.Tatoeba #1775260 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1455481 by CK
- Obwohl krank, ging er zur Schule.Even though he was sick, he went to school.This sentence shows how obwohl can be used at the beginning of a sentence to describe a state.Tatoeba #1688064 by Esperantostern, translation #1440025 by CH
- Obwohl es regnete, ging er spazieren.Even though it was raining, he went for a walk.
- Wenngleich sie wenig Zeit hatte, half sie mir.Even though she had little time, she helped me.
- Obgleich es spät war, blieben wir noch lange auf.Even though it was late, we stayed up for a long time.
- Auch wenn ich müde bin, gehe ich heute Abend aus.Even though I'm tired, I'm going out tonight.
- Obwohl das Essen kalt war, hat es gut geschmeckt.Even though the food was cold, it tasted good.
- Obgleich es teuer war, habe ich es gekauft.Even though it was expensive, I bought it.
- Auch wenn es regnet, werde ich Fußball spielen.Even though it's raining, I will play soccer.
- 172 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sarah and Lukas are talking about a movie in a cafe.
- SarahDer Film war gut, obwohl er lang war.The movie was good, even though it was long.
- LukasIch fand ihn spannend, obwohl die Story simpel war.I found it exciting, although the story was simple.
- SarahEcht? Ich war müde, obwohl ich geschlafen hatte.Really? I was tired, even though I had slept.
- LukasVielleicht war der Film einfach zu anstrengend.Maybe the movie was just too exhausting.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “even though” translations and entries obwohl, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries obwohl, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
