Learn Italian: Sebbene tu non abbia la bussola, saprai tornare. - Although you do not have the compass, you will know how to return.

The word sebbene means 'although' or 'even though', and it is a conjunction of concession. In Italian, these conjunctions always require the verb that follows them to be in the subjunctive mood. So, instead of the regular present tense hai, we must use the present subjunctive abbia.

Since Italian usually drops subject pronouns, why is tu included before non abbia?

In the present subjunctive, the singular forms are often identical. For the verb avere, the forms are io abbia, tu abbia, and lui/lei abbia. Including tu makes it immediately clear who is missing the compass, avoiding any confusion.

The English translation says 'you will know how to return'. Where is the 'how to' in saprai tornare?

In Italian, when the verb sapere (to know) is followed directly by an infinitive verb like tornare (to return), it automatically means 'to know how to' do that action. You do not need any extra words to translate 'how to'. Saprai is simply the future tense of sapere.

Can I use nonostante or benché instead of sebbene in this sentence?