Question 1

Why is тем не менее used here instead of a simple но (but)?

Accepted Answer

While you could use но, тем не менее (nevertheless/even so) is a stronger marker of contrast. It specifically acknowledges a fact (the brand being eco-friendly) and then introduces a contrasting, sometimes unexpected condition (it being expensive). It emphasizes the balance of pros and cons more formally than a simple но.

Question 2

What exactly does the phrase тем не менее literally mean?

Accepted Answer

It literally translates to 'by that not less'. The word тем is the instrumental case of то (that), and менее means 'less'. Over time, this phrase fossilized into a fixed expression meaning 'nevertheless' or 'all the same'.

Question 3

Why are экологичный and дорогой in the long form rather than the short forms (экологичен, дорог)?

Accepted Answer

In modern Russian, long-form adjectives are very commonly used as predicates (the main describing word in a sentence) for permanent or inherent traits. You absolutely could use the short forms экологичен and дорог, but they would sound more formal or literary. The long forms used here sound very natural for an everyday product review.

Question 4

I learned that довольно means 'enough'. Why does it translate to 'quite' here?

Accepted Answer

When довольно is placed directly in front of an adjective or adverb, it acts as a degree modifier meaning 'quite', 'fairly', or 'rather'. It usually only translates to 'enough' when used as a standalone statement or in phrases like с меня довольно (I have had enough).

Этот бренд экологичный, тем не менее он довольно дорогой.

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