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Spanish “Aunque”: When to Use Indicative vs Subjunctive (Full Guide)
Dieser Beitrag erklärt ein wichtiges Thema der spanischen Grammatik (Text auf Englisch).
Aún, aun, aunque
We have already discussed the difference between aun and aún in a previous blog. It is advisable to read it before this one:
🔴 The word aún uses a diacritic accent and means todavía:
“Aún no te lo he explicado.”
“Todavía no te lo he explicado”
(I haven’t explained it to you yet)
🔴 The word aunque is the most commonly used concessive conjunction, but we also use aun cuando and aun with the same meaning. In this case, aun is not accented. It expresses concession:
“Aun cuando me lo has explicado, no lo entiendo”.
“Aunque me lo has explicado, no lo entiendo”.
“Aun habiéndomelo explicado, no lo entiendo”.
(Even though you have explained it to me, I don’t understand it)
🔴 Aunque is the most commonly used concessive conjunction, but it is not the only one. There are alternatives to express the same idea:
Aunque he estudiado, no lo entiendo.
He estudiado. Sin embargo, no lo entiendo.
He estudiado. No obstante, no lo entiendo.
He estudiado, pero incluso así, no lo entiendo.
A pesar de que he estudiado, no lo entiendo.
Si bien he estudiado, no lo entiendo.
Por más que he estudiado, no lo entiendo.
No lo entiendo, y eso que estudié.
There are subtle differences in nuance, but the overall meaning remains the same. Basically, aunque is although as a neutral form, while a pesar de que, y eso que, and por más que express a contrast that implies a certain degree of surprise and function as even though.
Aunque + different tenses
🔴 Present: Aunque llueve, voy a salir. Indicative (llueve), because it is actually raining; I can see it.
Although it rains, I will go out.
🔴 Past: Aunque llovió, salí. Indicative (llovió), because it actually rained.
Although it rained, I went out.
Aunque llovía, salí. Indicative (llovía), because it really was raining.
Although it was raining, I went out.
🔴 Future: Aunque llueva, voy a salir. Subjunctive (llueva), because it might rain, but it might not.
Even if it rains, I will go out.
So, we use the indicative after aunque to talk about real or known facts, but we use the subjunctive when the situation is uncertain, hypothetical or not yet confirmed.
We can also mark this contrast in the present:
🔴 Aunque tiene dinero, no es una persona elegante. Although he has money, he is not an elegant person.
Indicative (tiene), because he really has money.
🔴 Aunque tenga dinero, no es una persona elegante.
Even if he has money, he is not an elegant person.
Subjunctive (tenga), because I don’t know whether he really has money or not.
If you are learning Spanish and find explanations like this helpful, I offer personalised online Spanish lessons for students and adults worldwide, including GCSE and A-Level preparation.
Lessons are available in English or German, and I offer a free initial consultation. You can contact me at
laura@spanishforlondon.com.
Example from the episode
Remember that you can read the novel that complements this blog, which I am writing in parallel, so there is an example in context of what we are explaining.
—Tal vez no conservador —responde ella—, aunque en lugar de enfocarnos tanto en la grandeza del imperio, podríamos hablar del costo humano.
Spanish GCSE Reading and Grammar-Constance e Imran Episode 18 (learn through a novel)
Book your first free demo lesson, with no obligation on your behalf, at
laura@spanishforlondon.com.
Bachelor’s degree in Literature (University of Buenos Aires). Spanish and Literature teacher. Researcher and author of Los premios Nobel de literatura. Una lectura crítica (University of Seville). More than 30 years’ experience teaching Spanish to international students.
One-to-one lessons via Zoom.
Abschluss in Literaturwissenschaft (Universität Buenos Aires). Lehrerin für Spanisch und Literatur. Forscherin und Autorin des Buches Los premios Nobel de literatura. Eine lectura crítica (Universität Sevilla). Über 30 Jahre Erfahrung im Unterricht von Spanisch als Fremdsprache.
Einzelunterricht über Zoom.
