Prepositions Expressing Concession (unatoč, usprkos)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'unatoč' or 'usprkos' followed by the Dative case to express that something happened despite an obstacle.
- Always use the Dative case after these prepositions: Unatoč kiši (Despite the rain).
- They are interchangeable in most contexts, though 'unatoč' is slightly more common.
- They cannot be followed by a verb; use 'unatoč tome što' + clause if needed.
Dative Case Inflection (Singular)
| Nominative | Dative | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Kiša
|
Kiši
|
Unatoč kiši
|
|
Umorni
|
Umornom
|
Unatoč umornom čovjeku
|
|
Problem
|
Problemu
|
Unatoč problemu
|
|
Cijena
|
Cijeni
|
Unatoč cijeni
|
|
Napor
|
Naporu
|
Unatoč naporu
|
|
Vrijeme
|
Vremenu
|
Unatoč vremenu
|
Meanings
These prepositions introduce a fact that stands in contrast to the main clause, indicating that an action occurred regardless of a hindrance.
Direct Concession
Expressing that an action happened despite a specific obstacle.
“Usprkos hladnoći, izašli smo van.”
“Unatoč upozorenju, nastavili su raditi.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Unatoč + Dative
|
Unatoč kiši, idem.
|
|
Negative
|
Unatoč + Dative + ne
|
Unatoč trudu, ne ide.
|
|
Clausal
|
Unatoč tome što + Verb
|
Unatoč tome što pada, idem.
|
|
Question
|
Unatoč čemu...?
|
Unatoč čemu si došao?
|
|
Short Answer
|
Unatoč svemu.
|
Unatoč svemu, dobro je.
|
|
Variation
|
Usprkos + Dative
|
Usprkos kiši, idem.
|
Spectre de formalité
Unatoč kiši, nastavljamo s aktivnostima. (Weather)
Unatoč kiši, idemo van. (Weather)
Unatoč kiši, idemo. (Weather)
Usprkos kiši, idemo. (Weather)
Concession Map
Grammar
- Dative Case Required
Usage
- Contrast Opposition
Exemples par niveau
Unatoč kiši, idem van.
Despite the rain, I am going out.
Usprkos umoru, učim.
Despite tiredness, I am studying.
Unatoč gužvi, sretni smo.
Despite the crowd, we are happy.
Unatoč hladnoći, igramo se.
Despite the cold, we are playing.
Usprkos problemima, radimo.
Despite problems, we are working.
Unatoč tome što je kasno, radim.
Despite the fact that it is late, I am working.
Usprkos svim naporima, nismo uspjeli.
Despite all efforts, we did not succeed.
Unatoč visokoj cijeni, kupio sam auto.
Despite the high price, I bought the car.
Usprkos lošoj prognozi, putujemo.
Despite the bad forecast, we are traveling.
Unatoč činjenici da je projekt težak, završit ćemo ga.
Despite the fact that the project is difficult, we will finish it.
Usprkos brojnim kritikama, nastavio je pisati.
Despite numerous criticisms, he continued to write.
Unatoč svim upozorenjima, donio je odluku.
Despite all warnings, he made the decision.
Usprkos nedostatku vremena, pripremili su večeru.
Despite the lack of time, they prepared dinner.
Unatoč evidentnim poteškoćama, strategija je bila uspješna.
Despite evident difficulties, the strategy was successful.
Usprkos općem mišljenju, on je ostao pri svome.
Despite general opinion, he stood his ground.
Unatoč kompleksnosti situacije, našli smo rješenje.
Despite the complexity of the situation, we found a solution.
Usprkos povijesnim činjenicama, mitovi i dalje žive.
Despite historical facts, myths still live on.
Unatoč inherentnim kontradikcijama, teorija je prihvaćena.
Despite inherent contradictions, the theory was accepted.
Usprkos svim društvenim normama, ona je izabrala slobodu.
Despite all social norms, she chose freedom.
Unatoč prividnoj jednostavnosti, zadatak je bio zahtjevan.
Despite apparent simplicity, the task was demanding.
Usprkos dugogodišnjoj izolaciji, jezik se očuvao.
Despite long-term isolation, the language was preserved.
Facile à confondre
Both mean 'although/despite'.
They are synonyms.
Learners often use Accusative.
Erreurs courantes
Unatoč kiša
Unatoč kiši
Unatoč padati
Unatoč kiši
Usprkos kiša
Usprkos kiši
Unatoč da pada
Unatoč tome što pada
Unatoč problem
Unatoč problemu
Usprkos umoran
Usprkos umoru
Unatoč o kiši
Unatoč kiši
Unatoč da je teško
Unatoč tome što je teško
Usprkos činjenica
Usprkos činjenici
Unatoč sve
Unatoč svemu
Unatoč visokim cijenama
Unatoč visokim cijenama (Wait, this is correct, but check gender)
Usprkos svim napor
Usprkos svim naporima
Unatoč tome da
Unatoč tome što
Structures de phrases
Unatoč ___, idem van.
Usprkos ___, sretni smo.
Unatoč tome što ___, radim.
Unatoč ___, postigao sam cilj.
Real World Usage
Unatoč kašnjenju, projekt je gotov.
Unatoč kiši, super dan!
Usprkos hladnoći, pogled je divan.
Unatoč izazovima, uspješno sam riješio zadatak.
Unatoč gužvi, hrana je stigla.
Unatoč svemu, vidimo se.
Dative Check
No Verbs
Use 'tome što'
Register
Smart Tips
Use 'unatoč' + Dative.
Use 'unatoč tome što' + verb.
Check if it's Dative.
Use 'usprkos' in writing.
Prononciation
Stress
Stress is on the first syllable.
Consonants
Clear pronunciation of 't' and 'č'.
Falling
Unatoč kiši ↘
Statement of fact.
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Unatoč the rain, I go out in the Dative lane.
Association visuelle
Imagine a person walking through a storm (the obstacle) with an umbrella, smiling. The umbrella is the 'Dative' shield that protects the action.
Rhyme
Unatoč or usprkos, use Dative, don't be cross!
Story
Mark wanted to hike. Despite the rain (unatoč kiši), he went. Despite the mud (usprkos blatu), he climbed. He reached the top because he ignored the obstacles.
Word Web
Défi
Write 3 sentences about your day using 'Unatoč' + a noun in the Dative case.
Notes culturelles
Used frequently in formal reports and news.
Often replaced by 'iako' or local dialect.
Standard usage is common in formal settings.
Slavic roots for opposition.
Amorces de conversation
Unatoč čemu si danas sretan?
Unatoč lošem vremenu, što radiš?
Unatoč svim problemima, što je tvoj cilj?
Unatoč umoru, što si danas završio?
Sujets d'écriture
Erreurs courantes
Test Yourself
Unatoč ___ (kiša), idem van.
___ (Unatoč/Iako) kiši, idem van.
Find and fix the mistake:
Unatoč padati, idem.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
Despite the problems, we are happy.
Answer starts with: Una...
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Unatoč ___ (sve).
Usprkos ___ (napor), uspjeli smo.
Score: /8
Exercices pratiques
8 exercisesUnatoč ___ (kiša), idem van.
___ (Unatoč/Iako) kiši, idem van.
Find and fix the mistake:
Unatoč padati, idem.
kiši / Unatoč / van / idem
Despite the problems, we are happy.
Unatoč + ?
Unatoč ___ (sve).
Usprkos ___ (napor), uspjeli smo.
Score: /8
FAQ (8)
Yes, they are synonyms.
They take the Dative case.
No, you must use 'tome što'.
They are standard and used in all registers.
No, they mean the same thing.
Use 'unatoč tome što'.
The noun changes, the preposition stays the same.
Yes, very common.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
trotz + Genitive
German uses Genitive, Croatian uses Dative.
malgré + Noun
French has no case system.
a pesar de + Noun
Spanish uses a prepositional phrase.
ni mo kakawarazu
Word order is reversed.
raghma
Arabic uses a different root.
尽管 (jǐnguǎn)
Chinese lacks case.
