Breakdown of Эта диета сложная, зато полезная. К тому же витамины продолжают усваиваться.
этот
this [f: эта, n: это]
полезный
healthy, good for you (of food) / useful
продолжать
to continue
сложный
difficult, complex
диета
diet
зато
but on the other hand
витамин
vitamin
усваиваться
to be absorbed
к тому же
besides, moreover
Questions & Answers about Эта диета сложная, зато полезная. К тому же витамины продолжают усваиваться.
How exactly does к тому же differ from кроме того in this context?
Both mean besides or in addition, but к тому же is slightly more conversational and often adds a clinching argument or a bonus point that makes the previous statement even stronger. Кроме того is a bit more formal and neutral, like furthermore.
What does зато mean here, and could I just use но?
You could use но (but), but зато is more specific. It means but on the other hand or but to make up for it. It is used when a disadvantage (сложная) is directly compensated by a distinct advantage (полезная).
Why is усваиваться imperfective? Could I use the perfective form усвоиться instead?
No, you can never use a perfective verb after продолжать (to continue). Verbs that indicate the start, continuation, or end of an action strictly require the imperfective infinitive, because continuing an action focuses on the ongoing process rather than a single completed result.
Why does усваиваться have the reflexive -ся ending here?
In this sentence, the -ся ending gives the verb a passive meaning. The vitamins are not absorbing something else; rather, they are being absorbed by the body.
Learn Эта диета сложная, зато полезная. К тому же витамины продолжают усваиваться and more in Russian
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.
- ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
- ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
- ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free