Breakdown of Das Ballett ist anstrengend, nichtsdestotrotz gibt die Tänzerin nicht auf.
sein
to be
nicht
not
anstrengend
exhausting
aufgeben
to give up (surrender, quit)
das Ballett
the ballet
die Tänzerin
the dancer (f)
nichtsdestotrotz
nevertheless
Questions & Answers about Das Ballett ist anstrengend, nichtsdestotrotz gibt die Tänzerin nicht auf.
Why is the verb gibt placed right after nichtsdestotrotz?
nichtsdestotrotz is an adverb, not a coordinating conjunction like aber or und. Because it occupies the first position in the second clause, the conjugated verb gibt must take the second position. This pushes the subject die Tänzerin into the third position.
How is nichtsdestotrotz different from just using trotzdem here?
Both words mean "nevertheless" and affect word order in exactly the same way. However, nichtsdestotrotz is a heavier, more emphatic word. It highlights the contrast more strongly, emphasizing that her refusal to give up is especially impressive given the intense exhaustion.
Could I say Das Ballett ist angestrengt instead of anstrengend?
No, because that changes the meaning entirely. anstrengend is a present participle meaning "exhausting" (it causes the fatigue). angestrengt is a past participle meaning "exhausted" or "strained." The ballet itself is exhausting (anstrengend), which might make the dancer feel exhausted (angestrengt).
Why is auf separated from gibt and placed at the very end of the sentence?
This is a quick reminder about separable verbs! The infinitive is aufgeben (to give up). Because this second half of the sentence is an independent main clause, the conjugated core of the verb (gibt) takes position two, and the separable prefix (auf) gets sent to the very end of the clause.
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