German · A2 · Everyday language
Still Worth Trying in German
Use trotzdem (still / nevertheless) to show your child that a difficulty does not have to stop a positive choice. It can also introduce a decision that contrasts with what came before.
What you'll learn
- Describe everyday difficulties and contrasting choices.
- Start a contrasting main clause with trotzdem.
- Place the finite verb directly after trotzdem.
German phrases for still worth trying
Es regnet. Trotzdem gehen wir zum Sportverein.
It is raining. Still, we are going to the sports club.
After trotzdem, put gehen before the subject wir. Zum means zu dem.
Das Projekt ist schwierig. Trotzdem machst du Fortschritte.
The project is difficult. Still, you are making progress.
Fortschritte machen means 'to make progress.' German uses a plural noun here.
Du bist müde. Trotzdem willst du dein Modell fertig machen.
You are tired. Still, you want to finish your model.
Willst comes directly after trotzdem. The infinitive phrase fertig machen goes at the end.
Dein Freund mag andere Spiele. Trotzdem habt ihr zusammen Spaß.
Your friend likes different games. Still, you have fun together.
Ihr means 'you' when speaking to more than one person: here, your child and their friend. For a female friend, use deine Freundin.
Die Küche ist klein. Trotzdem können wir zusammen kochen.
The kitchen is small. Still, we can cook together.
Können follows trotzdem; the infinitive kochen goes at the end.
Der Film ist spannend. Trotzdem schalten wir jetzt den Fernseher aus.
The film is exciting. Still, we are turning off the television now.
Ausschalten is separable: schalten follows trotzdem, and aus goes at the end.
Du hast das Spiel verloren. Trotzdem hat dir das Spiel Spaß gemacht.
You lost the match. Still, you enjoyed the game.
Both sentences use the conversational past tense, the Perfekt. Spaß machen means 'to be fun'; dir shows who enjoyed it.
Ich habe eine andere Meinung. Trotzdem verstehe ich deine Idee.
I have a different opinion. Still, I understand your idea.
Eine andere Meinung haben means 'to have a different opinion.' Verstehe comes before ich after trotzdem.
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Try it free for 7 daysKey words
trotzdem
still / nevertheless / even so
Introduces something that contrasts with the previous statement. It does not mean 'still' in the sense of something continuing; that is often noch.
der Sportverein
sports club
A club where people take part in sports. Zum Sportverein means 'to the sports club.'
Fortschritte machen
to make progress
A useful phrase for encouraging your child, even when a task is difficult.
fertig machen
to finish / complete
Use it with an object: dein Modell fertig machen means 'to finish your model.'
Spaß haben / Spaß machen
to have fun / to be fun
Wir haben Spaß means 'We have fun.' Das Spiel macht Spaß means 'The game is fun.'
spannend
exciting / gripping
Often used to describe a film, story or game.
Trotzdem + finite verb
Trotzdem introduces a contrasting main clause. When it comes first, the finite verb—the verb form that agrees with the subject—comes directly after it. The subject usually follows the verb. Do not put a comma between trotzdem and the verb.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Basic pattern | Situation. Trotzdem + finite verb + subject + rest. | Es regnet. Trotzdem gehen wir zum Sportverein. |
| With du | Trotzdem + du-form of the verb + du + rest. | Trotzdem machst du Fortschritte. |
| With ich | Trotzdem + ich-form of the verb + ich + rest. | Trotzdem verstehe ich deine Idee. |
When the verb has two parts
Only the finite verb comes directly after trotzdem. An infinitive, a separable prefix or a past participle goes at the end of these simple clauses.
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Modal verb | Trotzdem + modal verb + subject + rest + infinitive. | Trotzdem können wir zusammen kochen. |
| Separable verb | Trotzdem + finite verb + subject + rest + prefix. | Trotzdem schalten wir jetzt den Fernseher aus. |
| Perfekt past tense | Trotzdem + haben/sein in the correct form + subject + rest + past participle. | Trotzdem hast du gut gespielt. |
More examples
Die Aufgabe ist schwierig. Trotzdem versuche ich es.
The task is difficult. Still, I am trying.
Versuche comes directly after trotzdem, followed by ich.
Du bist müde. Trotzdem kannst du stolz auf dich sein.
You are tired. Still, you can be proud of yourself.
Kannst comes directly after trotzdem, and sein goes at the end. Stolz auf dich means 'proud of yourself.'