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
Это простецкое решение, зато оно работает.
It's a simple solution, but it works.
Этот фильм совсем бессюжетный, зато красивый.
This film has virtually no plot, but it is beautiful.
Наша шко́льная библиоте́ка небольша́я, но зато но́вая.
Our school library is small, but new.
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 1 month ago.
Artyom Abrosimov edited translation 2 months ago.
Wade edited translation 3 months ago.
Wade edited translation 3 months ago.



















