Doch, although seemingly inconspicuous, is one of the most complicated words the German language has to offer. It is mindboggling how many functions and how many different meanings this little four-letter one-syllable sucker can take on.
In this function, doch can mean anyway, nevertheless, regardless, nonetheless, although, still, yet, though, but, after all.
Sie ist dann doch gekommen. (She came after all.)
Das war spät, doch nicht zu spät, hoffe ich. (That was late, but not too late, I hope.)
Freundlich, doch bestimmt, verweigerte er der Gruppe den Eintritt. – (Politely but firmly, he denied the group entry.)
Doch as a response particle
In this function, doch expresses a contradiction when answering yes/no questions that contain a negation, affirming the fact negated in the question. This is the amazing function of doch most commonly referred to when mentioning it in a blog post, being the third German response particle besides yes and no.
„Du willst ihn aber nicht heiraten?“ – „Doch.“ ("But you don't want to marry him?" – "Yes, I do.")
„Hast du sie nicht angerufen?“ – „Doch!“ ("Didn't you call her?" – "Yes!")
"Das hast du wohl nicht gedacht, dass das funktioniert, oder?“ – „Doch!“ ("You probably didn't think that would work, did you?" – "Oh, yes, I did!")
„Es ist nicht zu spät, oder?“ – „Doch!“ ("It’s not too late, is it?" – "Yes, it is!")
„Ist keiner zu Hause?“ – „Doch!“ ("Is no one home?" – "Yes, there is!")
Here it becomes even more complicated because in this function, doch can have three distinct meanings that—depending on the context—partially contradict each other.
1. Doch as an emphasizing or intensifying particle
Firstly, doch may emphasize and intensify—for example, a fact, a question, or a request.
Ich würde ja gerne kommen, aber ich habe doch eine Verabredung. (I’d love to come, but unfortunately I already have an appointment.)
Nun ist es aber doch ganz schön spät geworden. (It has turned out to be quite late after all.)
Du hast doch gefragt, oder? (But you did ask, didn't you? [said in a slightly exasperated tone])
Komm doch mal her, mein Freund! Was ist das hier? (Come here a moment, my friend! What is this? [said in a stern voice])
2. Doch as a softening particle
Secondly, doch may soften the tone and make it friendlier—for example, turning a command into a wish or a suggestion.
Lieber Frühling, komm doch bald herbei! (Dear Spring, please come soon!)
Bring doch gleich etwas zu trinken mit! (Why not bring something to drink while you're at it? [Side note: the particle gleich is translated as "while you're at it" here, implying that the person talked to has gotten up to fetch something else.])
Schlag doch zu! [ironisch] (Go ahead, take a swing! [ironic])
Mach doch was du willst! (Do what you want! [I'm tired of arguing with you.])
3. Doch as a reminder of a known fact
Thirdly, doch can express that what is being stated is known or indisputable. In this sense, it is used almost exclusively in written language—and only very rarely in colloquial speech—specifically and obligatorily in causal clauses with verb-first word order.
Er hat sie sehnsüchtig angesehen, liebte er sie doch. (He gazed at her longingly, for he loved her.)
Danach zog sie aufs Land, wollte sie doch dem Lärm der Stadt entkommen. (After that, she moved to the countryside, wanting to escape the noise of the city. [Doch is not translated here; in this piece of literature, it should have been made sufficiently clear beforehand that she loathed city life.])
Ich würde ja gerne kommen, aber ich habe doch eine Verabredung. (I’d love to come, but don't you remember that I already have an appointment.)
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