Obwohl vs trotzdem

Learn the difference between obwohl and trotzdem in German, compare word order, and practise with five gap-fill exercises and explained answers.

Prepared by Deutsch Schreiben with AI assistance; original learning material. · 31 October 2026

One contrast, two sentence patterns

Both words express an unexpected contrast. Obwohl means “although”; trotzdem means “nevertheless” or “even so”. Learn the whole pattern, not just the translation.

Obwohl es regnet, gehen wir spazieren.

Es regnet. Trotzdem gehen wir spazieren.

In both examples it is raining, but we go for a walk. The first puts the obstacle in a subordinate clause. The second states the obstacle first, then gives the unexpected action.

Where does the verb go?

After obwohl, the conjugated verb goes at the end of its clause: obwohl ich müde bin.
If that clause comes first, the main clause starts with its verb: Obwohl ich müde bin, lerne ich.
When trotzdem starts the main clause, the conjugated verb follows it: Trotzdem lerne ich.

A common mistake

Avoid Trotzdem ich bin müde. For “Nevertheless, I am tired”, write Trotzdem bin ich müde. For “although I am tired”, write obwohl ich müde bin.

With a perfect tense, the auxiliary is the conjugated verb: Obwohl ich viel gelernt habe, war die Prüfung schwer. Keep the comma between the clauses. These exercises practise standard written German.

Five exercises with explanations

Type only the missing word, then check your answer. You can open each explanation without an account.

1Obwohl ich müde ___, lerne ich weiter. (sein)

Answer and explanation

bin — The conjugated sein form for ich is bin, at the end of the subordinate clause.

2Es regnet. Trotzdem ___ wir spazieren. (gehen)

Answer and explanation

gehen — Trotzdem takes first position; the conjugated verb gehen comes next.

3Obwohl er keine Zeit ___, hilft er mir. (haben)

Answer and explanation

hat — Er takes hat. Obwohl places this verb at the end of its clause.

4Obwohl sie viel gelernt ___, war die Prüfung schwer. (haben)

Answer and explanation

hat — In this Perfekt clause the subject sie means she; hat follows gelernt.

5Das Buch ist teuer. Trotzdem ___ ich es kaufen. (möchten, ich)

Answer and explanation

möchte — The conjugated modal form möchte comes second; kaufen stays at the end.

Continue learning

Grammar references (examples and exercises are original): IDS: obwohl · IDS: trotzdem

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