pomimo

Pomimo is a Polish preposition that expresses concession, equivalent to “in spite of” or “despite” in English. It introduces a circumstance that contrasts with what is stated in the main clause and does not prevent the described outcome.

Usage with nouns and noun phrases: When followed by a noun or pronoun, pomimo governs the genitive case. Examples include pomimo deszczu (despite the rain), pomimo trudności (in spite of difficulties), or pomimo jego wysiłków (despite his efforts). This form is common in both written and spoken Polish and is used to emphasize that the described situation continues despite an obstacle.

Usage with clauses: Pomimo can also be used with a subordinate clause, typically introduced by the conjunctions że or iż, or in the more explicit form pomimo tego, że. Examples: Pomimo że pada, poszliśmy na spacer. Pomimo iż deszcz pada, kontynuowaliśmy pracę. Pomimo tego, że było późno, wróciliśmy do domu. These constructions convey a stronger sense of contrast and are frequent in formal and informal styles.

Grammatical notes: After pomimo, the following element is usually in the genitive case when it is a noun phrase. When a clause is used, the clause is introduced by że or iż, and sometimes by pomimo tego, że for emphasis. The choice between forms such as pomimo że, pomimo iż, and pomimo tego że can reflect register and emphasis but all convey a similar concession.

In summary, pomimo serves as a key tool in Polish for expressing that an outcome occurs despite a condition, with flexible use over nouns or clauses.