Two-part connector 'zwar … aber' (admittedly … but)

What it is. zwar … aber is a two-part connector that concedes one point and then contrasts it with another. It is like English "it's true that ..., but ...". It softens a statement before adding a limitation.

How it works. zwar introduces the conceded (admitted) fact; aber adds the contrasting point. Both clauses keep normal word order.

• zwar + Aussage, aber + Einschränkung.

Examples.

• Er ist zwar reich, aber nicht glücklich. - He is rich, but not happy.
• Das Hotel war zwar teuer, aber sehr schön. - The hotel was expensive, but very nice.
• Ich habe zwar wenig Zeit, aber ich helfe dir trotzdem. - I have little time, but I'll help you anyway.

Common mistakes. zwar is not the same as zwei; it means roughly "admittedly". Don't leave out the aber - the contrast is the point of the construction. zwar can also stand after the verb: Er ist zwar reich ... or Zwar ist er reich ... (then with inversion).

'zwar … aber' concedes one point but adds a contrasting one.

Concede with 'zwar', then contrast with 'aber'. Normal word order.

'zwar … aber' räumt etwas ein und stellt einen Gegensatz daneben.