"Despite": a pesar de + Noun or Infinitive
To say that something happens despite a physical obstacle or an opposing fact, use a pesar de (despite, in spite of). When using this phrase, it must be followed by a noun or an infinitive verb—never a conjugated verb.
| Despite the tiredness, she does not give up. | A pesar del cansancio, ella no se rinde. |
| The doctor works despite being sick. | El médico trabaja a pesar de estar enfermo. |
You can place the a pesar de phrase at the beginning or the end of the sentence. If it starts the sentence, use a comma to separate it from the main action.
| Despite the warning, the boy insists on playing. | A pesar de la advertencia, el niño insiste en jugar. |
"Even though": a pesar de que + Conjugated Verb
If you need to use a conjugated verb to express "even though" or "despite the fact that", add que to the phrase to make a pesar de que.
| even though, despite the fact that | a pesar de que |
When declaring a known, established fact or an action that is definitely happening, use the Indicative mood (your standard tenses) after a pesar de que.
| My mother works even though she is very tired. | Mi madre trabaja a pesar de que está muy cansada. |
| Even though it is very difficult, we do not give up. | A pesar de que es muy difícil, no nos rendimos. |
However, if the obstacle is hypothetical, a future possibility, or something the speaker is acknowledging without declaring it as a concrete fact (similar to saying "even if"), you must use the Subjunctive mood.
| Even though the risk may be enormous, they insist on going. | A pesar de que el riesgo sea enorme, ellos insisten en ir. |