Learn German: Obwohl der Junge erkältet ist, will er heute trainieren. - Although the boy has a cold, he wants to train today.

Obwohl (although) is a subordinating conjunction. This means it introduces a dependent clause and "kicks" the conjugated verb—in this case, ist—all the way to the end of that clause, right before the comma.

Why does the second half of the sentence start with the verb will instead of er?

In German, the conjugated verb in a main clause must take the second position. Because the entire obwohl clause acts as the first position, the verb will must come immediately after the comma to take the second position. This creates a helpful rule of thumb when starting a sentence with a dependent clause: the verbs will meet at the comma (... ist, will ...).

Does erkältet mean "a cold"?

Erkältet is actually an adjective. While in English we usually say someone has a cold, in German it is very common to use this adjective with the verb sein (to be). So literally, the boy is cold-having (der Junge ist erkältet). You can also use the noun form like in English (er hat eine Erkältung), but this adjective form is very natural and common.

Is will used here to talk about the future?