allerdings introduces a point which re-asserts the validity of an earlier point despite
some argument to the contrary. It can thus be used to limit the validity of the speaker’s
(or the listener’s) viewpoint:
Das ist allerdings wahr.
That’s true, admittedly.Ich muss allerdings zugeben, dass du Recht hast.
I have to admit, though, that you are right.Du musst allerdings zugeben, dass ich Recht habe.
You have to admit, all the same, that I am right.But it can also be used to counter an implied negative:
First speaker: Hast du vielleicht seine Telefonnummer?
You wouldn’t have his telephone number by any chance?Second speaker: Allerdings!
I certainly have!auch can signal the speaker’s sympathy for the position of the listener:
Das ist auch nicht dein Problem.
That’s not your problem.Du konntest es auch kaum selbst bezahlen.
You could scarcely be expected to pay for it yourself.bloß implies that something is not very important. It can be used to agree with the
listener’s viewpoint or (with doch) to play down something which the listener thinks is
important:
Das ist bloß eine Kleinigkeit.
That’s not important.Das ist doch bloß eine Kleinigkeit.
That’s really not important.denn signals some kind of shared relevance between the speaker and the listener. It can
express surprise or add a note of informality:
Was kann ich denn sonst machen?
What else can I do, then?Was ist denn das?
What’s this, then?Was machst du denn heute Abend?
So what are you doing this evening?doch has two main uses, depending on whether it is stressed or unstressed. When
unstressed, it adds an emphatic note to what one is saying:
Das ist doch ganz klar.
That is absolutely clear.Ich weiß. Du hast es mir doch gesagt.
I know. You’ve already told me.117
Keeping the channel open