adverbconjunctioninterjection

aber

but · really

Dieses Wort verbindet zwei Sätze oder Gedanken und zeigt einen Gegensatz oder eine Einschränkung an.

Definition & meaning

aber is a very common German word with several related uses:

“but” — as a coordinating conjunction introducing a contrast.
- Ich würde gern kommen, aber ich habe keine Zeit. — “I would like to come, but I have no time.”
- Das Buch ist interessant, aber schwierig. — “The book is interesting but difficult.”
“however,” “though,” or “nevertheless” — as an adverb, often adding a qualification or contrast.
- Er ist aber trotzdem gekommen. — “However, he came anyway.”
- Das ist aber kompliziert. — “That is rather complicated, though.”
An intensifying or emotional particle — especially in spoken German. It can express surprise, admiration, annoyance, or emphasis.
- Das ist aber schön! — “That is really beautiful!”
- Du bist aber groß geworden! — “You have really grown!”
“But!” — as an interjection expressing protest or objection.
- Aber! — “But!” / “Hold on!”

Grammar & Word origin

Word class: primarily a coordinating conjunction, but it can also function as an adverb, modal particle, or interjection.
When used as a conjunction, aber does not change the normal word order:
- Ich komme, aber ich bleibe nicht lange. — “I am coming, but I will not stay long.”
It usually connects two contrasting ideas. Unlike subordinating conjunctions such as weil (“because”), it does not send the conjugated verb to the end of the clause.
Word origin: aber comes from Old High German forms such as aba and avur. It is an old Germanic contrastive word. Its modern form cannot be meaningfully divided into separate German parts.

Synonyms & antonyms

Depending on the context, possible synonyms include:

jedoch — “however”; more formal and often more written than aber.
doch — “but,” “however,” or “nevertheless”; often more emphatic and can have several additional meanings.
allerdings — “however,” “indeed,” or “admittedly”; frequently introduces a limitation or qualification.
hingegen — “in contrast” or “on the other hand”; emphasizes a comparison between two things.
sondern — “but rather”; used after a negation to correct or replace the preceding statement, unlike ordinary contrastive aber.

There is no exact antonym of aber, because it expresses a relationship between ideas rather than a specific quality. In some contexts, coordinating words expressing addition can provide the opposite function:

und — “and,” connecting ideas without contrast.
sowie — “as well as,” also expressing addition rather than opposition.

Common phrases & collocations

aber nein — “oh no,” “of course not,” or an emphatic rejection
ja, aber … — “yes, but …”
wenn auch …, aber … — “although …, nevertheless …”
nicht aber — “but not”
aber klar! — “of course!” or “sure!”
Das ist aber … — an emphatic expression meaning “That is really …” or “That is quite …”