How To Say However or Nevertheless in Spanish

Spanish has several ways of indicating that what is said might seem to be at odds with what the listener might expect. Examples in English involve words or phrases such as, however, in spite of, and nevertheless. In grammatical terms, statements such words or are called terms of concession. Using Terms of Concession Following are some of the words or phrases of concession used in Spanish. Note that in the translations of sample sentences, a variety of English words can be used, depending on the context. Note also that many of the Spanish words are freely interchangeable with at least one other. For example, there is no real difference in meaning between sin embargo and no obstante, although the latter is more formal, just as there is little or no difference in meaning between even so and however. Also note that some of the words have uses other than those listed here. Keep in mind that many of the words or phrases of concession can be followed by a verb in the subjunctive mood, especially if the verb refers to an action or state in the future, or to an action or state that is occurring in the present and is expected to continue to the future. Phrases A Through G A pesar de Come a pesar de todo. (He eats in spite of everything.)A pesar de las crà ­ticas, la cantante defiende su nueva imagen. (Despite the critics, the singer defends her new image.)A pesar de que somos oponentes polà ­ticos, no somos rivales personales. (Even though were political opponents, we arent personal rivals.) Asà ­ or aun asà ­ Asà ­ yo tenga mucho trabajo, no tengo dinero. (Even though I have a lot of work, I dont have money.)Paciencia es la clave, asà ­ sea difà ­cil. (Patience is the key, although is difficult.)Asà ­ compres muchas cosas, cuenta como una. (Although you are buying many items, they count as one.) In other contexts, asà ­ often means so or otherwise is used to emphasize what precedes or follows. When asà ­ means although, it is always followed by a verb in the subjunctive mood. Aunque Aunque estaba lloviznando, decidimos salir. (Although it was drizzling, we decided to leave.)Debes estudiar, aunque no quieras. (You must study even though you dont want to.)Es inteligente aunque algo excà ©ntrica. (Shes intelligent but a bit eccentric.) Bien que Explà ­came esto bien que no entiendo. (Explain this to me even though I dont understand.)Lo vi bien que era las dos de la maà ±ana. (I saw it well even though it was 2 a.m.) Be aware that most often, bien que isnt a phrase but rather simply bien followed by que. For example, Està ¡ bien que existan diferencias simply means it is good that there are differences. Phrases H through R Incluso si La guerra continuarà ¡ incluso si el pà ºblico se cansa. (The war will continue even if the public is tired of it.)Una mascota puede hacerte sonreà ­r incluso si tienes un mal dà ­a. (A pet can make you smile even if youre having a bad day.) No obstante No obstante este problema debe de estar en manos de la ONU. (However, this problem should be in the hands of the U.N.)No obstante, el à ºltimo aà ±o tambià ©n ha sido desalentador para mucha gente. (Nevertheless, the last year has been discouraging for many people.) Por mà ¡s/mucho que Por mà ¡s que te duela, es lo que necesitas. (Even though it hurts you, its what you need.)Por mucho que gano, no consigo llegar a fin de mes. (However much I earn, I cant make it to the end of the month.) Phrases S Through Z Sin embargo Sin embargo, cada uno salià ³ del teatro. (Nevertheless, each one left the theater.)Sin embargo, las cosas siguen muy complicadas en el Yucatà ¡n. (Even so, things keep on being very complex in the Yucatan.) Siquiera Tienes que reconocer un error, siquiera sea mà ­nimo. (You have to recognize an error, even though it is minimal.)Pienso tratar ese problema, siquiera no pueda hacerlo ahora. (I think I will tackle this problem, even though I cant do it now.) Y eso que El asfalto de este pueblucho triplica el calor que hace. Y eso que estamos al lado del mar. (The asphalt of this awful town makes it three times as hot even though we are next to the sea.)Estoy enfermo y eso que el horà ³scopo del diario no lo decà ­a. (I am sick, although the daily horoscope didnt say that would happen.) Y eso que is always followed by a verb in the indicative mood.