To describe pushing through challenges or making a compromise, you can use a concessive-conditional clause. In German, these are formed using auch wenn.
| even if | auch wenn |
Sentence Structure with "auch wenn"
The phrase auch wenn (even if / even though) functions as a subordinating conjunction. This means it sends the conjugated verb to the very end of its clause.
When you start a sentence with an auch wenn clause, that entire clause occupies the first position. To satisfy German's verb-second (V2) rule, the main clause must immediately follow the comma with its conjugated verb.
| Even if the culture is foreign, I am staying here. | Auch wenn die Kultur fremd ist, bleibe ich hier. |
Alternatively, you can put the main clause first. The main clause follows normal word order, and the auch wenn clause follows the comma (still keeping its own verb at the very end).
| He loves Germany, even if he misses his family. | Er liebt Deutschland, auch wenn er seine Familie vermisst. |
Separable Verbs in Subordinate Clauses
When a separable verb like sich einleben (to settle in) is sent to the end of an auch wenn clause, the verb and its prefix meet at the end of the sentence. When this happens, they reconnect into a single word.
| Even if you settle in quickly, you miss your friends. | Auch wenn du dich schnell einlebst, vermisst du deine Freunde. |
Overcoming Culture Shock
Auch wenn is incredibly useful for talking about the realities of immigration, such as pushing through homesickness (das Heimweh) or misunderstandings.
| Even if I am homesick, I am not going back. | Auch wenn ich Heimweh habe, gehe ich nicht zurück. |
| He doesn't understand the mentality, even if he speaks perfectly. | Er versteht die Mentalität nicht, auch wenn er perfekt spricht. |
No matter what difficulties you face, the ultimate goal is to overcome (überwinden) the challenges.
| Even if it is difficult, you can overcome the problem. | Auch wenn es schwierig ist, kannst du das Problem überwinden. |