# zwar

zwar is a German adverb meaning “Signals a following contrary clause, which is usually introduced with aber (“but”), stressing that the speaker is aware of the contradiction, but that it does not invalidate the statement.”.

## In other languages

- Русский: правда, хотя
- Українська: щоправда, хоч, хоча

## Meanings

1. Signals a following contrary clause, which is usually introduced with aber (“but”), stressing that the speaker is aware of the contradiction, but that it does not invalidate the statement.
   - Franz Kafka, Amerika — They were admiring the play, but you could see they were disappointed.
2. _in the form und zwar_ namely
   - Aber dann hab ich mir doch eins gekauft, und zwar das blaue. — But then I bought one anyway, namely the blue one.
3. _in the form und zwar_ Intensifies a request or command.
   - Du musst gehen, und zwar sofort! — You must go, right now!

## Examples

- Toms Wohnung ist zwar klein, doch sehr gemütlich. — Tom's flat is small, but it's very cosy.
- Ich habe zwar einen Führerschein, aber kein Auto. — I have a driving licence, but not a car.
- Ich weiß zwar, dass es mich nichts angeht, aber ... — I know this is none of my business, but...
- Tom hat Marias Nachricht zwar gelesen, aber nicht geantwortet. — Tom read Mary's message, but did not respond.
- Ich bin zwar nicht dagegen; ich bin aber auch nicht dafür. — I'm not against it, but I'm not for it, either.

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Sources: Meanings and forms from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0); example sentences from Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR).
URL: https://wordwide.space/de-en/wort/zwar