entgegen
toward
In the direction of someone or something; moving toward someone or something.
EXAMPLE
Sie ging ihrem Bruder entgegen.
She walked toward her brother.
entgegen
toward / contrary to
entgegen + dative
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Meanings
entgegen
contrary to
In opposition to something or against an expectation, rule, or instruction.
EXAMPLE
Entgegen den Anweisungen öffnete er die Tür.
Contrary to the instructions, he opened the door.
Usage tips
Dative preposition
'Entgegen' usually takes the dative. The person or thing one is moving toward, or whose instruction one is contradicting, therefore appears in the dative.
EXAMPLE
Die Wanderer liefen dem Wind entgegen.
The hikers walked toward the wind.
Entgegen meinem Rat kaufte sie das teure Auto.
Contrary to my advice, she bought the expensive car.
Typical collocations
In its directional meaning, 'entgegen' usually appears as a verb particle, for example in 'entgegengehen' (to walk toward), 'entgegenkommen' (to come toward), or 'entgegenfahren' (to drive toward). The person or thing appears in the dative; as a preposition, 'entgegen' with the dative is mainly used in the meaning 'contrary to'.
EXAMPLE
Am Bahnhof kam mir meine Freundin entgegen.
My friend came toward me at the train station.
Fixed combinations
In the meaning 'contrary to', 'entgegen' often combines with 'Anweisungen' (instructions), 'Regeln' (rules), 'Vorschriften' (regulations), or 'Erwartungen' (expectations). A particularly common combination is 'entgegen allen Erwartungen' (contrary to all expectations).
EXAMPLE
Entgegen allen Erwartungen gewann die junge Mannschaft das Finale.
Contrary to all expectations, the young team won the final.
In real life
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