Trotz des Regens kommen viele Leute zum Konzert.

Trotz des Regens kommen viele Leute zum Konzert.
Despite the rain, many people come to the concert.
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Questions & Answers about Trotz des Regens kommen viele Leute zum Konzert.

Why is the phrase trotz des Regens used here instead of obwohl es regnet?

Trotz is a preposition meaning “despite,” and it governs a noun (or noun phrase) in the genitive case. Obwohl is a subordinating conjunction meaning “although,” and it introduces a full clause with a finite verb at the end. Both express contrast, but their grammar differs:

  • Trotz des Regens
    • main‐clause word order: “Trotz des Regens kommen viele Leute…”
  • Obwohl es regnet,
    • subordinate‐clause word order + main clause: “Obwohl es regnet, kommen viele Leute zum Konzert.”
Why is des Regens in the genitive case? What case does trotz take?
The preposition trotz normally requires the genitive case. That’s why der Regen (nominative) becomes des Regens (genitive). The genitive ending ‑s on Regen marks that relationship.
Could we say trotz dem Regen instead of trotz des Regens?
Colloquially, you might hear trotz dem Regen (dative), especially in spoken German. However, standard written German favors the genitive: trotz des Regens.
Should there be a comma after Trotz des Regens?

No. Since trotz introduces a prepositional phrase and not a subordinate clause, you do not need a comma. The verb still sits in second position:
“Trotz des Regens kommen viele Leute zum Konzert.”

Why do we say zum Konzert rather than ins Konzert?

Zum is the contraction of zu + dem (dative), meaning “to the (event/place).” It expresses motion toward an event or place in a general sense.
Ins is in + das (accusative) and often implies “into” a building or enclosure. While you might occasionally hear ins Konzert gehen (“go into the concert hall”), zum Konzert kommen/gehen is the more common idiom for attending a concert.

Why is viele Leute used here and not viel Leute?

Viel (singular) modifies uncountable nouns (viel Wasser, viel Glück).
Viele (plural) modifies countable nouns (viele Leute, viele Bücher). Since Leute is plural and countable, we use viele.

Why is the verb kommen used instead of something like besuchen?

Kommen emphasizes arrival or attendance (“many people come/are coming”).
Besuchen means “to visit” or “to attend” (e.g., ein Konzert besuchen = “to attend a concert”).
Both are correct, but zum Konzert kommen is more colloquial for “coming to the concert,” whereas das Konzert besuchen focuses on the act of attending.

Why does the verb kommen appear before viele Leute in this sentence?
German main clauses obey the verb-second rule. The first element here is the adverbial phrase Trotz des Regens (position 1), so the finite verb kommen must occupy position 2. The subject viele Leute then follows in position 3.
Can I omit the article and say just trotz Regen?
No. With trotz, you generally need an article (or a determiner) before the noun in standard German: trotz des Regens. Omitting the article (→ trotz Regen) is nonstandard.