Conjunction-adverbs in German (Konjunktionaladverbien)
In German, the Konjunktionaladverbien are very interesting. They are adverbs that share properties of conjunctions. This type of word creates a bit of confusion among people trying to learn German. We'll try and explain this in a way that is understandable:
Grammar
The two properties of a Konjunktionaladverb are:
- It occupies a position in the clause (like an adverb)
- They associate clauses with one another (like a conjunction)
Die Zimmer sind klein. Trotzdem ist das Hotel für den Preis zu empfehlen
The rooms are small. Nevertheless, the hotel is recommended for the price.
Pay attention to the construction: The verb "ist ( sein)" is in the second position. This is because "Trotzdem", which gives order to the sentence, is behaving like an adverb by occupying the first position in the sentence.
Another possibility is to place the Konjunktionaladverb in the middle of the sentence (position 3).
Die Zimmer sind klein. Das Hotel ist trotzdem für den Preis zu empfehlen
The rooms are small. The hotel, nonetheless, is recommended for the price
List of the most common Konjunktionaladverbien
| Adverbs | Meaning |
|---|---|
| allerdings | however, nonetheless |
| auch | also |
| außerdem | in addition |
| daher | |
| darum | |
| deshalb | therefore, that's why |
| deswegen | therefore, that's why |
| doch | so |
| gleichfalls | likewise |
| nur | only |
| so | so |
| somit | hence, therefore |
| sonst | or else |
| zudem | in addition |
| trotzdem | however, nonetheless |
allerdings
It means "however," "nonetheless," or simply "but" when it acts as a Konjunktionaladverb
Ich habe Geschichte studiert, allerdings habe ich keinen Abschluss
I studied history but I didn't finish
Take note that when it is simply acting as an adverb it has another meaning: "of course (as a response)" or "naturally"
Ich habe allerdings keine Lust noch länger zu warten
Of course I don't want to wait even longer
auch
It means "also"
Ich habe Deutsch studiert. Auch habe ich zwei Jahre mit meiner Familie in Deutschland gewohnt
I studied German. I also lived in Germany for two years with my family
außerdem
It means "also"
Ich heiße Ana und bin 30 Jahre alt, außerdem bin ich Lehrerin und Mutter von 3 Kindern
My name is Ana and I am 30 years old. In addition, I am a professor and mother of three children
daher
It means "therefore" or "that's why"
Ich verstehe leider kein Spanisch. Daher kann ich das Handbuch nicht lesen
Unfortunately, I don't understand Spanish; that's why I can't read the manual
darum
It means "therefore" or "that's why"
Wir haben noch keine Erfahrung. Darum ist es für uns wichtig, verschiedene Meinungen zu hören
We still don't have experience. That's why it is important to us to listen to different opinions
deshalb
deshalb means "therefore" or "that's why"
Mein Mann hat momentan leider keinen Job, deshalb muss ich arbeiten
My husband doesn't have a job at the moment, unfortunately. That's why I have to work
deswegen
It means "that's why"
Sie hat kein Auto, deswegen fährt sie immer mit der U-Bahn
She doesn't have a car. That's why she always uses the subway
doch
It means "so" or "but" or "though." It depends greatly on the context.
Wir haben in deiner Wohnung angerufen, doch warst du nicht da
We called you at home but you weren't there
trotzdem
It means "however"
Ich bin Deutsche, trotzdem möchte ich das Buch auf Englisch lesen
I am German. However, I would like to read the book in English.
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