wenngleich

Wenngleich is a conjunction in the German language that introduces concessive clauses, meaning roughly “although” or “even though.” It is primarily used in formal or literary writing and is considered somewhat archaic in everyday speech. The term reflects a historical stylistic choice to express a contrast between what is stated in the main clause and a contrary circumstance in the subordinate clause.

Etymology and usage notes: Wenngleich is formed from if-related elements (wenn) and a notion of equality or contrast (gleich). It is related to other concessive forms such as obgleich and obwohl, but tends to carry a more literary or official tone. In modern prose, writers may replace it with obgleich or although-equivalents, or with the phrase auch wenn.

Syntax: Wenngleich governs a subordinate clause in which the finite verb typically appears at the end, followed by the main clause. For example: Wenngleich es regnet, gehen wir spazieren. The concession can also appear after the main clause: Wir gehen spazieren, wenngleich es regnet.

Examples:

- Wenngleich er müde ist, arbeitet er weiter.

- Wenngleich das Wetter schlecht war, unternahmen sie eine Reise.

See also: obgleich, obwohl, auch wenn. In contemporary German, wenngleich is understood and correct but tends toward a formal or literary register, and is less common in casual conversation.