Introduction
This article explains how to use Apesar de in Portuguese to express contrast. You will learn the grammar rules, common structures, examples in Brazilian Portuguese, and helpful usage tips so you can understand and use apesar de naturally in conversation and writing.
- What does Apesar de mean?
- Structure and grammar rules
- Agreement and contractions: do, da, dos, das
- Comparing with similar conjunctions
- How to choose between infinitive and que + verb
- Position in the sentence and punctuation
- Common mistakes and how to avoid them
- Practical examples in context
- Register and style tips
- Pronunciation and rhythm
- Cultural notes
- Useful set phrases with Apesar de
- Summary of key points
- Conclusion
What does Apesar de mean?
Apesar de literally means despite or in spite of. It introduces information that contrasts with or qualifies the main clause. Use apesar de when you want to show that something unexpected, surprising, or contrary to expectation happens.
Basic idea
Think of Apesar de as a signpost that signals contrast. The phrase prepares the listener or reader for an idea that conflicts with what comes next. Typical English equivalents are despite, in spite of, or even although when restructuring the sentence.
Structure and grammar rules
There are three common structures with Apesar de in Brazilian Portuguese:
1) Apesar de + noun or noun phrase
2) Apesar de + pronoun + infinitive verb (when the subject is the same as the main clause)
3) Apesar de + que + finite verb (more colloquial in Brazil, though some speakers prefer embora or apesar de o/a constructions)
Apesar de + noun or noun phrase
When you want to contrast an idea expressed as a noun, use Apesar de followed by a noun phrase. This is the simplest and most common form.
Examples:
Apesar do calor, fomos à praia.
Apesar da chuva, a festa continuou.
Notice the contraction: de + o = do, de + a = da. If the noun is plural, use dos or das.
Apesar de + infinitive
Use the infinitive when the action in the subordinate clause is general or when the subject of both clauses is the same. This structure is very natural in spoken Brazilian Portuguese.
Examples:
Apesar de estar cansado, ele trabalhou até tarde.
Apesar de ter pouco tempo, eu estudei para a prova.
In these examples, the subject of the infinitive phrase (ele, eu) is the same as the main clause subject. The infinitive gives a concise contrast between actions or states.
Apesar de + que + finite verb
Many Brazilian speakers use apesar de followed by que and a conjugated verb. This is common in informal speech but can be seen as less formal by prescriptive grammarians. Still, it is widely accepted and understood.
Examples:
Apesar de que estava chovendo, saímos sem guarda-chuva.
Apesar de que ele avisou, nós esquecemos.
For formal writing, consider alternative constructions like embora or apesar do fato de que to avoid criticism from strict grammarians.
Agreement and contractions: do, da, dos, das
Remember that de contracts with definite articles. When the noun has an article, combine them:
de + o = do
de + a = da
de + os = dos
de + as = das
Examples:
Apesar do trânsito, cheguei no horário.
Apesar das dificuldades, conseguimos terminar.
If there is no article, keep only de:
Apesar do frio vs. Apesar de frio — both appear in Portuguese, but the presence or absence of the article can change nuance or sound more natural depending on the noun and region. In many cases, articles are preferred with specific, known things.
Comparing with similar conjunctions
Understanding how Apesar de differs from other contrast words helps you choose the best option.
Embora and ainda que
Embora and ainda que are followed by a subjunctive verb and are more explicitly concessive (they emphasize concession). They are often used in more formal registers.
Example:
Embora estivesse cansado, ele saiu. (subjunctive)
Use Apesar de when you prefer a noun phrase or an infinitive, or when you want a slightly less formal tone.
Mesmo que
Mesmo que is similar and commonly used with the subjunctive to express hypothetical contrast:
Mesmo que chova, iremos ao parque. (subjunctive)
Apesar de centers more on actual facts or real situations, while Mesmo que often introduces hypothetical or uncertain conditions.
How to choose between infinitive and que + verb
Choose the infinitive when the subject is the same in both clauses and you want a compact, natural sentence. Choose apesar de que with a finite verb if you need to specify a different subject or prefer a clause that reads like a full sentence. For formal contexts, prefer structures that avoid apesar de que, such as embora or apesar do fato de que.
Examples to compare:
Apesar de estar chovendo, eu saí. (same subject, compact)
Apesar de que estava chovendo, nós saímos. (colloquial, finite verb)
Embora estivesse chovendo, nós saímos. (formal, subjunctive)
Position in the sentence and punctuation
Apesar de can appear at the beginning, middle, or end of a sentence. When it starts a sentence, it is common to place a comma before the main clause. When it appears in the middle, punctuation depends on rhythm and emphasis.
Examples:
Apesar da dor, ela continuou a sorrir. (start of sentence, comma after the phrase)
Ela continuou a sorrir apesar da dor. (no comma needed typically)
Placing Apesar de at the beginning emphasizes the contrast and sets the scene for the main idea.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Mistake 1: Using apesar de + subjunctive directly without que. Some learners write apesar de estivesse, which is incorrect. Use the infinitive or add que plus a finite verb.
Correct: Apesar de estar cansado, ele não parou.
Incorrect: Apesar de estivesse cansado, ele não parou.
Mistake 2: Forgetting the contraction with articles. Write do/da/dos/das instead of de o/a/os/as.
Correct: Apesar do barulho, dormi bem.
Incorrect: Apesar de o barulho, dormi bem.
Mistake 3: Overusing apesar de que in formal writing. Prefer embora or apesar do fato de que when writing essays or formal texts.
Practical examples in context
Below are longer sample sentences showing natural usage and small cultural notes where relevant.
Apesar do trânsito pesado de São Paulo, ela chegou no trabalho antes das nove.
Note: Traffic is a common topic in Brazil, so this sentence sounds very natural in everyday conversation.
Apesar de ter estudado pouco, passei na prova.
This expresses surprise or relief that studying little still led to passing the exam.
Apesar de que o restaurante estava cheio, conseguimos uma mesa.
This is colloquial and common in spoken Brazilian Portuguese when telling a story.
Apesar das diferenças culturais, sentimos que nos adaptamos bem ao Brasil.
This sentence highlights adaptation and contrast between expectations and experience.
Register and style tips
For formal writing (academic papers, official documents), prefer:
Embora + subjunctive
Apesar do fato de que + indicative or subjunctive
For everyday conversation and informal writing (messages, emails, speaking), use:
Apesar de + infinitive or apesar de que + indicative. Native speakers frequently favor the infinitive structure because it is concise and fluid.
Pronunciation and rhythm
In Brazilian Portuguese, Apesar de is pronounced with the stress on the second syllable of apesar: a-PE-sar. When speaking quickly, the de often links to the following word: apesar do trânsito sounds like a-PE-sar do TRÂN-sito. Practice linking and contractions to sound more natural.
Cultural notes
Using Apesar de in everyday conversation can make you sound more fluent because it is a common way to add nuance and express concession. Brazilians frequently use contrastive phrases to tell stories, explain surprises, or soften criticism. Including apesar de naturally in your speech helps with storytelling and polite disagreement.
Useful set phrases with Apesar de
Despite popular alternatives, some phrases appear often in speech and writing:
Apesar de tudo — despite everything
Apesar disso — despite that
Apesar das aparências — despite appearances
Examples:
Apesar de tudo, ele nunca desistiu.
Apesar disso, continuamos amigos.
Summary of key points
Use Apesar de to express contrast. Choose between noun phrases, infinitives, and the colloquial apesar de que + finite verb depending on subject agreement and formality. Remember contractions with articles, and prefer alternatives like embora in formal contexts. Practice with real Brazilian Portuguese examples to internalize natural rhythms and usage.
Conclusion
Apesar de is a versatile and common expression to show contrast in Brazilian Portuguese. With a few simple rules about structure, agreement, and register, you can use apesar de in everyday speech and writing to sound natural and precise. Keep practicing with real sentences and pay attention to contractions and word order.
