VocabuoDictionaryGet the app
adverbconjunction

hingegen

on the other hand · however

Es zeigt einen Unterschied zwischen zwei Sachen und hebt hervor, dass etwas anders ist als das vorher Genannte.

Definition & meaning

The word hingegen is a conjunction or adverb used to express a contrast between two statements. It highlights that the second part of a sentence introduces an idea, fact, or situation that is different from, contradicts, or serves as a counterpart to the first part.

  1. On the other hand / In contrast: Used to contrast two facts or subjects. Example: "Er mag Äpfel, sie hingegen bevorzugt Birnen." (He likes apples; she, on the other hand, prefers pears.)
  2. Whereas / While: Used to introduce a subordinate contrast within a context. Example: "Der Plan war gut, die Umsetzung hingegen scheiterte." (The plan was good, but the implementation, in contrast, failed.)

Grammar & Word origin

Grammatically, hingegen acts as a coordinating conjunction or an adverb. When used as an adverb in a sentence, it often occupies the position after the finite verb or at the beginning of the clause to emphasize the shift in perspective.

The word is a compound of:

  • hin-: implying a direction or an outward movement.
  • gegen: meaning "against" or "towards."

Together, the term literally suggests "looking towards the opposite side," which evolved into its modern usage as a tool for logical contrast.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

  • dagegen
  • hingegen (often used interchangeably with dagegen)
  • jedoch
  • demgegenüber
  • andererseits
  • hingegen

Antonyms:

Make “hingegen” part of your vocabulary.

Build your German vocabulary with flashcards, audio and spaced repetition.

Get Vocabuo on the App StoreGet Vocabuo for Android

Examples

Sie glaubt an das Gute in der Welt, ich hingegen bin skeptisch.adverb

She believes in the goodness in the world, on the other hand, I am skeptical.

Er mag Pizza, hingegen hasst er Spaghetti.conjunction

He likes pizza; however, he hates spaghetti.

Hingegen hat Peter einen langen Spaziergang gemacht.adverb

Peter, however, went for a long walk.

Hingegen haben wir andere Pläne.adverb

However, we have other plans.

Winter hingegen gefällt mir nicht so sehr.adverb

Winter, on the other hand, I don't like so much.

Ich liebe das Meer, mein Bruder hingegen zieht die Berge vor.adverb

I love the sea, my brother, on the other hand, prefers the mountains.

Keep exploring German

Learn words from the content you love.

Add words from websites, books and videos, then remember them with spaced repetition (SRS).

Download on theApp StoreGET IT ONGoogle Play