Genitive preposition 'trotz' (despite)
Genitivpräposition 'trotz'
'trotz' (despite) marks a concession and takes the .
Structure
trotz + Genitiv (Gegengrund)
trotz + genitive (counter-reason)
Details
- Part of Speech
- Preposition
- Word Type
- Genitive preposition
- Register
- Standard
Explanation
trotz ("despite / in spite of") marks a concession - something happens anyway, against an obstacle - and governs the genitive.
After trotz, the becomes des/der and masculine/neuter nouns add -s/-es.
Examples:
- Wir gehen trotz des Regens spazieren. - We go for a walk despite the rain.
- Trotz der Kälte trägt er keine Jacke. - Despite the cold he wears no jacket.
- Trotz des Staus kamen wir pünktlich an. - Despite the traffic jam we arrived on time.
In meaning, trotz + corresponds to the concessive obwohl (+ clause): Trotz des Regens ... ≈ Obwohl es regnet, ...
Register note: As with the other prepositions, casual speech often uses the (trotz dem Regen), but the is standard.
Common mistakes: Using the in formal writing; forgetting the masculine/neuter ending.
About Genitive preposition 'trotz' (despite)
'trotz' (despite) marks a concession and takes the .
Marks a concession (despite something); standard 'trotz' + .
'trotz' nennt einen Gegengrund und steht mit dem .
Caution
'trotz' + genitive (trotz des Regens). It expresses that something happens anyway.