zwar

Meaning

1. Signals a following contrary clause, which is usually introduced with aber (“but”), stressing that the speaker is aware of the contradiction, but that it does not invalidate the statement.
2. namely
3. Intensifies a request or command.

Concepts

certainly

indeed

definitively

absolutely

namely

surely

decidedly

that is

that is to say

be sure

videlicet

viz.

yea

yeah

yep

yes

above all

to wit

admittedly

aye

in fact

scilicet

specifically

sure

Synonyms

freilich

allerdings

wohl

immerhin

obgleich

wenn auch

obschon

gewiss

ja doch

ja

d.h.

das heißt

doch

nämlich

obwohl

und zwar

wenn … auch

aber

Translations

wel

zeker

toch

immers

ciertamente

certes

de debò

bepaald

in naam

si

ook

en veritat

certamente

vast

te weten

Dialects

Zürich

zwar

Basel-Landschaft

zwoor

Lucerne

zwar

Data provided by: Deutsch-Schweizerdeutsches Wörterbuch

Pronounced as (IPA)

/tsvaːr/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle High German: zwāre

Inherited from Old High German: zi wāre

In summary

From Middle High German zwāre, contraction of ze wāre (“verily, indeed”), from Old High German zi wāre (8th c.). Equivalent to zu + wahr. The concessive use developed first in cognate Middle Low German twâre. Compare Czech sice.