Concessions with embora and mesmo que

In brief

Use embora (‘although’) to introduce a circumstance that does not prevent the main event. Mesmo que (‘even if’ or ‘even though’) stresses that the main event holds regardless of that circumstance. In Brazilian Portuguese, both expressions normally take the subjunctive, even when the circumstance is a fact.

Form

embora / mesmo que + subjunctive clause, main clause (or main clause + embora / mesmo que + subjunctive clause). Use the present subjunctive for current or future situations; use the imperfect subjunctive for past or imagined ones.

Usage

• Use embora to acknowledge a real obstacle without changing the outcome.
• Use mesmo que when the outcome remains the same even if the obstacle occurs.
• A subjunctive verb after embora does not mean the speaker doubts that the circumstance is real.

Examples

• Embora esteja chovendo, vou sair para caminhar. — Although it’s raining, I’m going out for a walk.
• Vou entregar o relatório hoje, mesmo que precise trabalhar até tarde. — I’ll submit the report today, even if I have to work late.
• Embora estivesse cansada, ela foi à festa. — Although she was tired, she went to the party.
• Mesmo que fosse barato, eu não compraria esse celular. — Even if it were cheap, I wouldn’t buy that phone.

Common mistake

❌ Embora está chovendo, vou sair para caminhar.

✅ Embora esteja chovendo, vou sair para caminhar.

English ‘although’ allows an ordinary indicative verb, but Portuguese embora normally calls for the subjunctive, even when it is actually raining.

Remember

After embora or mesmo que, check the verb form: the subjunctive is the usual choice.