zwar
German
Etymology
From Middle High German zewāre (“in truth, indeed”), from ze (“in, to”) (a variant of zuo) + wāre (“true”), from Old High German [Term?].
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /t͡svaːɐ̯/
Audio (file)
Adverb
zwar
- namely; only when used in und zwar
- Aber dann habe ich mir doch eines gekauft. Und zwar das blaue.
- But then I bought one anyway. Namely the blue one.
- Ich hab’ was tolles gemacht! Und zwar habe ich geschmacksfreies Eis erfunden.
- I did something great! Namely I invented taste-free ice cream.
- Signals a following contrary clause, which is usually introduced with aber (“but”). Functions like einerseits (“on the one hand”) but does not require an andererseits (“on the other hand”). Approximately although; even though; now ..., but; indeed..., but, admittedly. Often rendered in English merely with tone of voice. Equivalent to Danish ganske vist, godt nok or Ancient Greek μέν (mén).
- Franz Kafka, Amerika:
- Sie bewunderten zwar das Schauspiel, aber man erkannte doch, daß sie enttäuscht waren.
- They were admiring the play, but you could see they were disappointed.
- Franz Kafka, Amerika:
Synonyms
- (zwar ... aber): allerdings, freilich, zugegebenermaßen
Derived terms
Further reading
- zwar in Duden online
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