ondanks

Ondanks is a Dutch preposition meaning "in spite of" or "despite." It is used to indicate that an obstacle or unfavorable condition does not prevent the action or situation described. The complement following odds is typically a noun phrase, for example "ondanks de regen" (despite the rain) or "ondanks de tegenwerking" (despite the opposition).

Grammatically, odds is most commonly placed before its complement: "Ondanks de regen ging hij naar buiten." The same idea can also be expressed with the main clause first, followed by "ondanks": "Hij ging naar buiten, ondanks de regen." In addition to noun phrases, "ondanks" can be used with a subordinate clause introduced by "dat" or "het feit dat": "Ondanks dat het regende, ging hij naar buiten" or "Ondanks het feit dat het regende, ging hij naar buiten." The latter forms tend to be more formal.

Desondanks is a related adverb meaning "nevertheless" or "in spite of that," and is used to connect clauses rather than to introduce a noun phrase. The choice between "ondanks" and "desondanks" depends on the desired nuance and register; "desondanks" generally has a more formal or literary tone.

Usage notes and variations: in formal writing, it is common to use "ondanks dat het…" or "ondanks het feit dat," though "ondanks dat" is widespread in spoken language. Both "ondanks de" constructions and the clause-based forms are established in standard Dutch. The term is frequent in media, literature, and everyday speech, serving to express concession without negating the main statement.