зато́
often used word (top 900)B2
- 1.
for it, in return
Univerbation of за and то.
- 2.
but (for all that), on the other hand
- 3.
on the other hand
Usage info
After зато we say something positive & never negative
Examples
- Наша шко́льная библиоте́ка небольша́я, но зато но́вая.Our school library is small, but new.
- Том не мог вспо́мнить, зато Мэри смогла́.Tom couldn't remember, but Mary did.
- Я никогда не был в Испа́нии. Зато я был в Италии.I've never been to Spain. However, I have been in Italy.
- Зато есть други́е преиму́щества.But there are other advantages.
- Мы провози́лись три неде́ли с почи́нкой маши́ны, но зато она теперь бе́гает сносно.It's taken us three weeks to fix, but at last our car runs satisfactorily.
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 ...!
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Contributions
aizere464 edited Typical usage, Typical usage, Typical usage and Typical usage 1 month ago.
bosbosmail887 edited translation 3 months ago.
Lisa edited related words 2 years ago.
TonyUK edited translation 2 years ago.























