This is a practical guide to help you use three similar connectors correctly: למרות, למרות ש, and למרות זאת. My students mix them up sometimes so I decided to write this guide. There’s an interactive exercise waiting for you at the end. Ready to dive in?

למרות / למרות ש / למרות זאת — What’s the Difference?

If you’ve been learning Hebrew for a while, you’ve probably used both of these — maybe without being sure which one is correct. The good news: the rule is not so compicated:

Both expressions mean “although” or “despite.” The difference is what comes after them.

The Rule

למרות is followed by a noun or noun phrase.

למרות ש is followed by a full sentence — with a verb.

למרות זאת comes after a full sentence. It opens the contrasting sentence that follows.

Examples

למרות העייפות, הוא המשיך לעבוד.  ← עייפות is a noun → למרות

Despite the fatigue, he kept working.

למרות שהוא היה עייף, הוא המשיך לעבוד.  ← הוא היה עייף is a full sentence → למרות ש

Although he was tired, he kept working.

הוא היה עייף מאוד. למרות זאת, הוא המשיך לעבוד.  ← two sentences → למרות זאת

He was very tired. Nevertheless, he kept working.

למרות הגשם, יצאנו לטייל.  ← גשם is a noun → למרות

Despite the rain, we went for a walk.

למרות שירד גשם, יצאנו לטייל.  ← ירד גשם is a full sentence → למרות ש

Although it was raining, we went for a walk.

ירד גשם. למרות זאת, יצאנו לטייל.  ← two sentences → למרות זאת

It was raining. Nevertheless, we went for a walk.

How Do You Know It’s a Sentence?

A sentence in Hebrew has a verb — a word that describes an action or a state. If you can find a verb, you have a sentence.

In Hebrew “הוא עייף” is also a sentence, even though there’s no verb. So you use “למרות שהוא היה עייף”

One more thing worth remembering: after ש in Hebrew, there is always a full sentence.

Similar Connectors

These work exactly the same way:

על אף ה… + שם עצם (noun)

על אף ש / אף על פי ש + משפט (sentence)

עם זאת = למרות זאת — opens the contrasting sentence

Some practice – in Hebrew!