Questions & Answers about Embora chova, eu vou ao parque.
Why do we use the subjunctive chova here instead of the normal present tense chove?
The word Embora (even though / although) always triggers the subjunctive mood. It introduces an obstacle or condition that you are acknowledging, but that ultimately won't stop the main action from happening.
The English translation says "it is raining". Can I use a continuous form like está a chover here?
Yes, but you still have to use the subjunctive! You would say Embora esteja a chover, changing the helping verb estar into the subjunctive esteja. However, using the simple subjunctive chova is perfectly natural in Portuguese for "even though it is raining".
If the sentence uses the subjunctive, why is vou in the normal present tense?
The subjunctive is only triggered inside the specific dependent clause introduced by Embora. The main action (eu vou ao parque) is a stated fact and isn't governed by the "embora" trigger, so it stays in the normal present indicative tense.
Why does this sentence use ao (to the) instead of para o when talking about going somewhere?