Quamvis dolor magnus sit, spes tamen manet.

to be

Breakdown of Quamvis dolor magnus sit, spes tamen manet.

• manere: to remain
• magnus: great
• tamen: nevertheless

Questions & Answers about Quamvis dolor magnus sit, spes tamen manet.

Why is sit used instead of est after quamvis?

Because quamvis introducing a concessive clause (although, even though) normally takes the subjunctive in Classical Latin.

So:

• dolor magnus est = the pain is great
• quamvis dolor magnus sit = although the pain is great

Here sit is the present subjunctive of esse (to be). This is one of the most common things learners notice in concessive clauses: Latin often uses the subjunctive where English uses a normal indicative verb.

What exactly does quamvis mean here?

Here quamvis means although or even though. It introduces a clause that concedes something but does not change the main point.

So the structure is:

• concessive clause: Quamvis dolor magnus sit = Although the pain is great
• main clause: spes tamen manet = hope nevertheless remains

The idea is: one fact is admitted, but another fact still holds true.

Why is tamen there if quamvis already means although?

Because Latin often likes to mark both sides of the contrast.

• quamvis = although