sondern
but · but instead · but rather
Dieses Wort benutzt man, um einen Gegensatz zu zeigen, wenn etwas nicht so ist, sondern anders.
Definition & meaning
The word "sondern" is a coordinating conjunction used in German to introduce a correction or an alternative, specifically after a negative statement. It translates to "but" or "but rather" in English.
It is used to contrast two clauses where the first clause is negative (e.g., using "nicht" or "kein") and the second clause provides the true or correct information instead.
- Example: "Das ist nicht mein Auto, sondern das meines Bruders." (This is not my car, but rather my brother's.)
- Example: "Er trinkt keinen Kaffee, sondern Tee." (He does not drink coffee, but tea.)
Grammar & Word origin
"Sondern" is a coordinating conjunction (konjunktionale Partikel). Unlike other conjunctions like "und" or "oder" , it specifically requires the preceding clause to contain a negation.
Grammatically, it connects two elements that have the same function (e.g., two nouns, two adjectives, or two clauses).
Historically, it originates from the Middle High German word "sunder," which meant "apart" or "separate." It is etymologically related to the word "sonderbar" , meaning "special" or "strange" (literally "separate from the others").
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms: There are no direct synonyms that function as a coordinating conjunction with the exact same grammatical constraints as "sondern." However, depending on the sentence structure, one might use:
- "aber" (used when there is no preceding negation, meaning "but" or "however")
- "stattdessen" (adverb meaning "instead")
Antonyms: The opposite concept is adding information rather than correcting it, often expressed with:
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Examples
Er isst nicht nur Fleisch, sondern auch Gemüse.conjunction
He eats not only meat, but also vegetables.
Er spielt nicht Klavier, sondern Geige.conjunction
He does not play the piano, but the violin.
Er spielt nicht im Garten, sondern geht ins Kino.conjunction
He is not playing in the garden, but instead goes to the cinema.
Sie mag keine Äpfel, sondern Bananen.conjunction
She doesn't like apples, but bananas.
Anna bestellt keinen Kaffee, sondern Tee.conjunction
Anna orders no coffee, but rather tea.
Ich habe heute keinen Kaffee getrunken, sondern Tee.conjunction
I didn’t drink any coffee today, but rather tea.
Die Jacke ist nicht schwarz, sondern dunkelblau.conjunction
The jacket is not black, but dark blue.
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