German - English (British) translations for "aber"
"aber" German translation
Translation
but
Definition
The German conjunction aber is used to indicate a contrast or opposition between two ideas or statements.
Part of speech
conjunction
Translations
This is is an experimental feature. Please report any issues.Meaning: but
Ich möchte ins Kino gehen, aber ich habe keine Zeit.
I want to go to the cinema, but I don't have time.
Meaning: however
Er ist sehr intelligent, aber er hat keine Lust zu lernen.
He is very intelligent, however he doesn't feel like studying.
Meaning: though
Das Essen sieht lecker aus, aber es schmeckt nicht gut.
The food looks delicious, though it doesn't taste good.
Meaning: nevertheless
Es regnet draußen, aber wir gehen trotzdem spazieren.
It's raining outside, nevertheless we're going for a walk.
Meaning: yet
Sie hat viel gearbeitet, aber sie hat noch nicht genug verdient.
She has worked a lot, yet she hasn't earned enough.
Examples
This is is an experimental feature. Please report any issues.A1: Ich bin müde, aber ich möchte nicht schlafen.
I am tired, but I don't want to sleep.
A1: Er ist klein, aber er kann gut Fußball spielen.
He is small, but he can play football well.
A1: Sie hat Hunger, aber sie hat kein Geld.
She is hungry, but she doesn't have any money.
B1: Das Essen war lecker, aber der Service war schlecht.
The food was delicious, but the service was bad.
B1: Ich habe viel gelernt, aber ich muss noch üben.
I have learned a lot, but I still need to practice.
B1: Er hat den Job bekommen, aber er musste umziehen.
He got the job, but he had to move.
C1: Ich hätte gerne das Buch gelesen, aber es war nicht verfügbar.
I would have liked to read the book, but it wasn't available.
C1: Der Film war interessant, aber die Handlung war verwirrend.
The movie was interesting, but the plot was confusing.
C1: Die Veranstaltung war gut organisiert, aber die Teilnehmerzahl war niedrig.
The event was well organized, but the number of participants was low.
Advanced Description
This is is an experimental feature. Please report any issues.Aber is one of the most commonly used conjunctions in German, and it is often translated as 'but' in English. It is used to connect two clauses or sentences that express contrasting ideas, such as 'I like chocolate, but I don't like vanilla.' In this example, the first clause expresses a positive sentiment towards chocolate, while the second clause expresses a negative sentiment towards vanilla. The use of aber indicates that these two sentiments are in opposition to each other.
In addition to indicating a contrast between two ideas, aber can also be used to introduce a concession or qualification. For example, 'I would love to come to your party, but I have to work' implies that the speaker would like to attend the party, but cannot because of their work schedule. This use of aber suggests that the speaker is making a concession or exception to their desire to attend the party.
It is important to note that aber is not always interchangeable with the English word 'but.' Depending on the context and the specific words being used, other conjunctions such as sondern (meaning 'rather' or 'on the contrary') may be more appropriate. As with any language, understanding the nuances of how conjunctions are used in German takes time and practice.