зато́
- 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
Дом старый, зато обхоженный и тёплый.
The house is old, but it is well maintained and warm.
Наша шко́льная библиоте́ка небольша́я, но зато но́вая.
Our school library is small, but new.
Зато есть други́е преиму́щества.
But there are other advantages.
Спектакль поставлен любительски, зато весело.
The play was staged amateurishly, but it was fun.
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 ...!
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.



















