Uprkos popustu, potrošili smo veliki iznos.

Despite the discount, we spent a large amount.

Breakdown of Uprkos popustu, potrošili smo veliki iznos.

• biti: to be
• velik: big
• popust: discount
• iznos: an amount

Questions & Answers about Uprkos popustu, potrošili smo veliki iznos.

Why is it popustu after uprkos?

Because uprkos normally takes the dative case in Serbian.

The base noun is popust (discount). Its dative singular form is popustu, so:

• popust = nominative
• popustu = dative

So uprkos popustu literally follows the pattern despite + dative.

A few similar examples:

• uprkos problemu = despite the problem
• uprkos kiši = despite the rain
• uprkos teškoćama = despite the difficulties

What kind of word is uprkos?

Here, uprkos is a preposition meaning despite / in spite of.

It introduces an idea of contrast or concession: something happened even though there was a reason it might not happen.

So in this sentence, the idea is: there was a discount, but even so, we spent a large amount.

Uprkos is a very common and standard way to express this idea.

Are there other ways to say despite in Serbian besides uprkos?

Yes. Two very common alternatives are:

• i pored + genitive