Nichtsdestoweniger

Nichtsdestoweniger is a German adverb and conjunction meaning nevertheless, nonetheless, or in spite of that. It introduces a concessive or contrasting idea, acknowledging a previous statement while asserting a counterpoint. The term is more formal and somewhat archaic in everyday speech, but it remains common in literary, journalistic, and legal prose.

Etymology and form: the expression derives from the older fixed phrase nichts desto weniger, and the single-word form nichtsdestoweniger is a fused variant of that construction. The components—nicht (not), desto (to that extent/the more), and weniger (less)—convey the sense of “not to a lesser extent,” i.e., “nevertheless.” The usage reflects a traditional or ceremonial register in contrast to more everyday connectors.

Usage notes: nichtsdestoweniger typically appears mid-sentence or at the start of a main clause to signal a shift in stance while preserving prior information. Examples include: Er war müde; nichtsdestoweniger setzte er seine Arbeit fort. Die Ergebnisse waren gering; nichtsdestoweniger zeigten sie Fortschritte. In modern writing, it is often preferred to den seltenen formality of dennoch, trotzdem, or gleichwohl, depending on tone and emphasis.

Related terms: dennoch, trotzdem, dennoch, gleichwohl, indes. Distinctions exist in nuance and formality, with nichtsdestoweniger leaning toward a more literary or formal register.

See also: nichts desto weniger, dennoch, trotzdem, gleichwohl.