зато́
often used word (top 900)
- 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
- Де́вушки у меня, мо́жет, и нет, но зато я бога́тый, - сказа́л Том.I may not have a girlfriend, but at least I'm rich, said Tom.
- 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.
- Зато есть други́е преиму́щества.But there are other advantages.
- Я никогда не был в Испа́нии. Зато я был в Италии.I've never been to Spain. However, I have been in Italy.
- Том не мог вспо́мнить, зато Мэри смогла́.Tom couldn't remember, but Mary did.
- Наша шко́льная библиоте́ка небольша́я, но зато но́вая.Our school library is small, but new.
Typical usage
Compensatory contrast (not X, but Y)
не ..., зато́ ...
not ..., but at least/on the plus side ...
..., зато́ ...
..., but (compensatingly) ...
Медле́нно, зато́ ве́рно
Slowly but surely
До́рого, зато́ ка́чество вы́сокое
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
bosbosmail887 edited translation 2 months ago.
Lisa edited related words 2 years ago.
TonyUK edited translation 2 years ago.
achoff edited usage info 4 years ago.
