HomeDictionaryGrammarNEWPracticeSettings

зато́

common #839B2
  • 1.

    but (to make up for it), in return, but then

    До́рого, зато́ ка́чественно.

    It's expensive, but the quality makes up for it.

    Introduces a positive point that offsets the preceding negative one.

  • 2.

    on the other hand, but (for all that)

    Он не силён в математике, зато́ хорошо́ рису́ет.

    He isn't good at maths, but on the other hand he draws well.

    Contrasts one quality with another without a strict trade-off.

Usage info

After зато we say something positive & never negative

Examples

Typical usagePRO

  • Compensatory contrast (not X, but Y)

    • не ..., зато́ ...

      not ..., but at least/on the plus side ...

    • ..., зато́ ...

      ..., but (compensatingly) ...

    • Ме́дленно, зато́ ве́рно

      Slowly but surely

    • До́рого, зато́ ка́чество высо́кое

      Expensive, but the quality is high

  • Turn-initial and standalone uses

    • Зато́ ...

      But at least ...; on the plus side ...

    • Ну зато́ ...

      But hey, at least ...

    • Зато́!

      But still! / Worth it!

    • Зато́ не ...

      At least not ...

  • Exclamatory emphasis

    • Зато́ как ...!

      But wow, how ...!

    • Зато́ како́й ...!

      But what a ...!

LockedUnlock typical usages

Related words

Synonyms

Learn

Contributions

  • Iron edited translation 4 days ago.
  • Artyom Abrosimov edited translation 1 month ago.
  • Wade edited translation 2 months ago.
  • Wade edited translation 2 months ago.