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Apesar de estar cansado, eu estudo para o exame.

Apesar de estar cansado, eu estudo para o exame.
Despite being tired, I study for the exam.
FromLesson 5inHardcore Portuguese (Portugal)

Breakdown of Apesar de estar cansado, eu estudo para o exame.

eu
I
estar
to be
cansado
tired
estudar
to study
para
for
o exame
the exam
apesar de
despite

Questions & Answers about Apesar de estar cansado, eu estudo para o exame.

What does apesar de mean in this sentence?
It means "despite" or "in spite of". In this sentence, it introduces a subordinate clause that expresses a concession—indicating that even though the speaker is tired, they still study for the exam.
Why is the verb estar used with cansado instead of ser?
In Portuguese, estar is used to describe temporary or changeable conditions, while ser is used for inherent or permanent qualities. Since being tired (cansado) is a temporary state, estar is the appropriate verb to express that condition.
Why is the infinitive estar used in the clause "apesar de estar cansado" instead of a conjugated form?
After the preposition de in the expression "apesar de", Portuguese typically requires an infinitive form or a noun. Using estar in its infinitive form is grammatically correct here. An alternative construction could include a subject (e.g., "apesar de eu estar cansado"), but when omitting the subject, the infinitive is preferred.
What role does the comma play in this sentence?
The comma separates the concessive subordinate clause "apesar de estar cansado" from the main clause "eu estudo para o exame." This punctuation helps clarify that the sentence has two parts: the condition (being tired) and the contrasting action (studying for the exam).
What does "para o exame" mean, and why is para used in this context?
"Para o exame" means "for the exam." The preposition para is used to express purpose or destination—in this case, indicating that the studying is directed toward the exam. The definite article o shows that it refers to a specific exam.
Can the order of the clauses be reversed without altering the meaning, and what might change if it is?
Yes, the order can be reversed. For example, you could say "Eu estudo para o exame, apesar de estar cansado." While both versions convey the same overall meaning, placing the concessive clause at the beginning (as in the original sentence) tends to emphasize the unexpected nature of the action. Reordering them simply shifts the emphasis but does not change the fundamental message.
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