B2Spanish · Grammar

Aunque and aun cuando

A lesson from the B2 course: the rule, examples and a 20-sentence test.

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Lesson

The Use of 'Aun Cuando' and 'Aunque' and Their Impact on Mood

In Spanish, concessive conjunctions like aunque and aun cuando are used to express contradiction or concession. They can mean 'although', 'even though', or 'even if'. The key is to understand when to use the indicative mood (Indicativo) and when to use the subjunctive mood (Subjuntivo) after them.

The choice of mood depends on whether the information in the subordinate clause is treated as a fact, a hypothesis, something uncertain, or contrary to expectations. Remember that aunque is much more common than aun cuando, but the rules for mood usage are identical for both.

  • We use the Indicativo when the subordinate clause expresses a fact, something certain or known. This translates to 'although' or 'even though'.
  • We use the Subjuntivo when the subordinate clause expresses a hypothesis, uncertainty, possibility, or something contrary to expectations. This translates to 'even if' or 'even should'.
Aunque / Aun cuando + INDICATIVO (fact) / SUBJUNTIVO (hypothesis)
SituationAunque + IndicativoAunque + Subjuntivo
Fact / CertaintyAunque es caro, lo compraré. (It's expensive, but I'll buy it.)Aunque sea caro, lo compraré. (Even if it's expensive, I'll buy it.)
Real situationAunque llueve, salimos. (It's raining, but we're going out.)Aunque llueva, saldremos. (Even if it rains, we'll go out.)
Confirmed informationAunque tiene razón, no la escuchan. (She's right, but they're not listening to her.)Aunque tenga razón, no la escucharán. (Even if she's right, they won't listen to her.)

Aunque estoy cansado, iré al gimnasio. (The fact that I'm tired)

Although I'm tired, I'll go to the gym.

Aunque esté cansado, iré al gimnasio. (The hypothesis that I might be tired)

Even if I'm tired, I'll go to the gym.

Watch out! ⚠️ A common mistake is automatically using the Subjunctive after 'aunque' and 'aun cuando'. Remember that the Indicative is necessary when expressing a known fact or a real situation. The Subjunctive is for hypothetical or uncertain situations.
Memory Tip: 🧠 If it's a Fact, use the Indicative. If it's a Speculation or Surprise, use the Subjunctive.
Aunque está lloviendo, vamos a la playa.
Aunque esté lloviendo, vamos a la playa.

The first sentence is correct because 'está lloviendo' is a visible fact. The second would be correct if we were talking about a hypothetical situation: 'Even if it rains, we'll go to the beach'.

Test yourself

20 questions. Answer them all, then check — you'll see what you got right and what to fix.

  1. 1

    Complete the sentence

    difícil, lo logramos.

    Although it was difficult, we managed.

  2. 2

    Complete the sentence

    lo contrario, lo haremos.

    Even if you think differently, we will do it.

  3. 3

    Complete the sentence

    tarde, lo terminará.

    Even if he starts late, he'll finish it.

  4. 4

    Complete the sentence

    problemas, los resolveremos.

    Even if there are problems, we will solve them.

  5. 5

    Complete the sentence

    rápido, entiende todo.

    Even when he reads quickly, he understands everything.

  6. 6

    Complete the sentence

    un problema, encontraremos una solución.

    Although it's a problem, we'll find a solution.

  7. 7

    Complete the sentence

    la lotería, seguirá trabajando.

    Even if he wins the lottery, he will continue to work.

  8. 8

    Complete the sentence

    la carrera, sigue estudiando.

    Although he has finished his degree, he is still studying.

  9. 9

    Type the missing word

    lejos, viene a visitarnos a menudo.

    Although he lives far away, he often visits us.

  10. 10

    Type the missing word

    miedo, lo intentaré.

    Even if it scares me, I will try.

  11. 11

    Type the missing word

    poco, tiene mucha energía.

    Although he sleeps little, he has a lot of energy.

  12. 12

    Type the missing word

    mucho, nunca se queja.

    Although he works a lot, he never complains.

  13. 13

    Type the missing word

    tarde, la perdonaron.

    Even though she arrived late, they forgave her.

  14. 14

    Type the missing word

    , salimos a pasear.

    Although it's raining, we're going for a walk.

  15. 15

    Put the sentence together — some words are extra

    Even if you believe that it's difficult, try.

  16. 16

    Put the sentence together — some words are extra

    Even if he has arrived late, let him in.

  17. 17

    Put the sentence together — some words are extra

    Even if it rains tomorrow, we will go on a trip.

  18. 18

    Put the sentence together — some words are extra

    Even when he sees the truth, he ignores it.

  19. 19

    Build the missing word from the letters

    frío, saldremos a correr.

    Even if it's cold, we will go for a run.

  20. 20

    Match each word to its meaning

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