Παρά το γεγονός ότι αργεί, συμμετέχει.

to participate

Breakdown of Παρά το γεγονός ότι αργεί, συμμετέχει.

• αργώ: to be delayed
• παρά το γεγονός ότι: despite the fact that

Questions & Answers about Παρά το γεγονός ότι αργεί, συμμετέχει.

What does Παρά το γεγονός ότι mean as a whole?

It means despite the fact that.

This is a fixed, fairly formal way to introduce a contrast. In this sentence:

Παρά το γεγονός ότι αργεί, συμμετέχει.
= Despite the fact that he/she is late, he/she participates.

A more natural English translation might sometimes be Even though he/she is late, he/she still participates.

Why is it παρά το γεγονός and not just παρά γεγονός?

Because παρά here is followed by a noun phrase, and γεγονός needs the article:

• παρά = despite / in spite of
• το γεγονός = the fact

So:

• παρά το γεγονός = despite the fact

You should think of it as a set phrase. Greek often uses the article in places where English may or may not.

Why is ότι used here?