Concessive conjunctions introduce a circumstance that should prevent the main action but doesn't. In English, this is although, even though, or even if. Spanish collapses these distinctions into a few conjunctions and handles the difference with the choice between indicative and subjunctive.
Aunque: the key concessive
Aunque is by far the most common concessive conjunction. It can mean although, even though, or even if, and the choice between the three is signaled by the mood of the verb.
Aunque + indicative: known fact
When the concession is a real, known fact, use the indicative. This corresponds to English although or even though.
Aunque estudia mucho, no aprueba los exámenes.
Although she studies a lot, she doesn't pass her exams.
In these sentences, the rain and the studying are facts. The speaker is conceding them.
Aunque + subjunctive: hypothetical
When the concession is hypothetical or unknown, use the subjunctive. This corresponds to English even if.
Aunque llueva, vamos a salir.
Even if it rains, we're going out.
No voy a cambiar de opinión aunque me insistas.
I'm not going to change my mind even if you insist.
Here, the rain and the insistence may or may not happen. The speaker isn't conceding a fact — they're dismissing a possibility.
A pesar de que: despite the fact that
A pesar de que is slightly more emphatic than aunque. It means despite the fact that or in spite of. Like aunque, it follows the indicative/subjunctive split, though the indicative is far more common because a pesar de que usually introduces something already accepted as true.
A pesar de que estaba cansado, terminó el trabajo.
Despite being tired, he finished the job.
A pesar de que no lo conozco, le tengo confianza.
Even though I don't know him, I trust him.
Don't confuse the conjunction a pesar de que (with a conjugated verb) with the preposition a pesar de (with a noun or infinitive): a pesar del frío (despite the cold), a pesar de estar cansado (despite being tired).
Por más que and por mucho que: no matter how much
Por más que and por mucho que mean no matter how much or however much. They concede an intense effort or quantity. They follow the same indicative/subjunctive rule as aunque.
Por más que lo intento, no lo logro.
No matter how hard I try, I can't do it.
Por mucho que estudies, el examen va a ser difícil.
No matter how much you study, the exam will be hard.
Aun cuando: even when, even if
Aun cuando is a slightly literary equivalent of aunque. Note the spelling: aun with no accent means even, while aún with an accent means still — two different words.
Aun cuando me lo pidieras, no podría hacerlo.
Even if you were to ask me, I couldn't do it.
Summary
| Conjunction | Meaning | Indicative | Subjunctive |
|---|---|---|---|
| aunque | although / even if | known fact | hypothetical |
| a pesar de que | despite the fact that | usually | rare, hypothetical |
| por más que | no matter how much | known | hypothetical |
| por mucho que | however much | known | hypothetical |
| aun cuando | even if, even when | known | hypothetical |
Common mistakes
❌ Aunque llueve, voy a salir. (when rain is hypothetical)
Wrong: if the rain hasn't started, use the subjunctive.
✅ Aunque llueva, voy a salir.
Correct: llueva (subjunctive) for a hypothetical concession.
❌ A pesar que está cansado, trabaja mucho.
Wrong: missing de — the conjunction is a pesar de que.
✅ A pesar de que está cansado, trabaja mucho.
Correct: a pesar de que is the full form.
❌ Aunque tiene dinero, sino no quiere gastar.
Wrong: sino does not follow aunque — use pero for contrast.
✅ Aunque tiene dinero, no quiere gastar.
Correct: aunque already implies the contrast.
For the simple contrast word but, see Pero and Sino. For hypothetical if structures, see Conditional: Si, A menos que.
Related Topics
- Pero and SinoA2 — How to express 'but' in Spanish with pero for contrast and sino for correction after a negative.
- Conditional: Si, A menos queB1 — How to build conditional clauses with si, a menos que, con tal de que, and other condition conjunctions.
- Temporal: Cuando, Mientras, Hasta queB1 — How to build time clauses in Spanish and choose between indicative and subjunctive after cuando, mientras, hasta que, and friends.