A concessive clause admits an obstacle and then says it doesn't matter. With aunque, the mood tells your listener whether the obstacle is a fact you both know or a possibility you're entertaining.
| Form | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| aunque + indicativo | known fact | Aunque es caro, lo compro. |
| aunque + presente subj. | possible, unknown | Aunque sea caro, lo compro. |
| aunque + imperfecto subj. | hypothetical / unlikely | Aunque fuera caro, lo compraría. |
| aunque + pluscuamperfecto subj. | contrary to past fact | Aunque hubiera sido caro, lo habría comprado. |
Mood as information management. Aunque está enfermo, va a trabajar tells your listener he is ill. Aunque esté enfermo, va a trabajar says it makes no difference either way — and often implies your listener already knows. Spanish uses the subjunctive to mark information as shared or not worth asserting.
| Connector | Register / nuance | Mood |
|---|---|---|
| aunque | neutral, the default | both |
| a pesar de que | neutral, slightly formal | both |
| pese a que | formal, written | both |
| aun cuando | formal, emphatic | usually subjunctive |
| si bien | formal, written argument | indicative only |
| por más / mucho que | however much | usually subjunctive |
| y eso que | colloquial, spoken | indicative only |
Drop the que and you can follow with a noun or an infinitive instead of a whole clause — tighter, and very common in writing.
Spanish has a striking pattern for "whatever / however": repeat the verb in the subjunctive around a relative word. It's idiomatic, emphatic, and instantly marks an advanced speaker.
| Structure | Meaning |
|---|---|
| diga lo que diga | whatever he says |
| pase lo que pase | whatever happens |
| sea como sea | however it may be |
| vayas donde vayas | wherever you go |
| quieras o no quieras | whether you like it or not |
Aun vs. aún. Aun without an accent means "even" (aun así = even so). Aún with an accent means "still / yet" (aún no ha llegado). Same word to the ear, opposite jobs in writing.
1.Aunque ___ (ser) caro, lo compraré. [I don't know the price yet]
2.Aunque ___ (ser) caro, lo compro. [I know it's expensive]
3.Por mucho que lo ___ (intentar, tú), no lo conseguirás.
4.Which connector takes ONLY the indicative?
5.Complete the idiom for "whatever happens":
6.A pesar de ___ (estar) cansado, siguió trabajando.
7."Aunque estuviera enfermo, iría a trabajar" presents the illness as:
8.Vayas ___ vayas, te seguiré.
9.What does "aun" (written WITHOUT an accent) mean?
10.No ha venido, y eso que se lo ___ (pedir, yo) dos veces.
11.Pese a que ___ (llover) mucho, el concierto siguió.
12.Diga lo que ___ (decir), no le creeré.
Book a class with Ángel and practise debating — concessives are what let you acknowledge an argument before dismantling it.