всё-таки

vsyo-táki — after all / still / nevertheless

What it really means

"Всё-таки" expresses that something happened or is true despite expectations, obstacles, or prior doubts. It carries the sense of "after all" or "nevertheless" — often with a nuance of mild surprise or satisfaction that something came through.

It can appear mid-sentence or at the start: "Он всё-таки пришёл!" = "He came after all!" It differs from "всё равно" — "всё равно" is about indifference, while "всё-таки" is about overcoming doubt or difficulty.

Examples in natural speech

Он всё-таки пришёл!
He came after all!
Я всё-таки решила не идти.
I decided not to go after all.
Сложно, но всё-таки интересно.
Difficult, but still interesting.
Это всё-таки твоя работа.
It's your job, after all.
Мы всё-таки успели на поезд.
We made the train after all.

Common mistakes

"Всё-таки" and "всё равно" are often confused by learners. "Всё-таки пришёл" = came after all (against expectations). "Всё равно пришёл" = came anyway (despite something). The meanings overlap but "всё-таки" implies surprise or the overcoming of doubt.

Memory tip

"Всё-таки" contains "таки" — a particle (of Yiddish/Ukrainian origin) that means "indeed" or "in the end." Think of it as: "despite everything... таки (it happened)."

Frequently asked questions

What does всё-таки mean in Russian?

"Всё-таки" means "after all," "nevertheless," or "still" — used when something happens or proves true despite expectations or doubts. "Он всё-таки позвонил" = "He called after all."

What is the difference between всё-таки and всё равно?

"Всё-таки" = after all / despite expectations (something happened or is true). "Всё равно" = regardless / doesn't matter / anyway. "Он всё-таки пришёл" = He came after all. "Он пришёл всё равно" = He came anyway (despite opposition).

Is всё-таки one word or two?

Всё-таки is written as one hyphenated word. It is a fixed particle and always takes a hyphen.

Note: This site uses JavaScript for interactive drills, audio playback, and progress tracking. Please enable JavaScript for the full experience.