“Even though” and “even if” – anche se: Italian grammar lesson 43

How to say even though, although, or simply though in Italian? By using anche se. Let’s learn how anche se is a concessive clause and the different meanings it can have by using it with the indicative or subjunctive moods.

Start here

You’ll receive my free resources together with my best offers! Opt out at any time.

Even though in Italian

even though italian

We all know how useful the expression even though is. And this is exactly why today we will learn how to use it in Italian.

Grammatically, a sentence that uses this construction is called a concessive clause.

This means that it expresses an idea or a fact that is real but has no effect on the fact or idea expressed in the main part of the sentence.

Anche se è giovane, è molto interessante.

Even though he is young, he is very interesting.

Anche se ha iniziato a piovere, siamo andati al parco.

Even though it started raining, we went to the park.

Anche se is not always at the beginning of the sentence:

Andrò a lavorare oggi anche se non sto bene.

I will go to work today even though I am not feeling well.

How to use anche se?

even if italian

Anche se is used with the indicative mood  (indicativo), while other expressions used in concessive clauses use the subjunctive mood (congiuntivo), like sebbene, nonostante, malgrado.

This means it is actually the easiest one to remember and use, without worrying about difficult conjugations.

Marco continua a lavorare anche se è stanco.

Marco keeps on working even though he is tired.

Anche se sono libera stasera, non andrò alla festa.

Even though I am free tonight, I will not go to the party.

In this case, the verbs in the concessive clause (the one starting with anche se) and the main clause will be in the indicative form.

How to form anche se with subjunctive?

anche se italian

Careful though… It is never that easy, is it?

Free Guide
How to Learn Languages Fast

Anche se can actually also be used with the congiuntivo in some cases, but the meaning changes a little!

Anche se + subjunctive becomes the Italian equivalent of even if and it is used when the fact or idea we are talking about could be true or false, could happen or not happen.

Anche se fosse stanco, Marco continuerebbe a lavorare.

Even if he were tired, Marco would keep on working.

Anche se fossi libera stasera, non andrei alla festa.

Even if I were free tonight, I would not go to the party.

Have you noticed? When the verb in the concessive clause is in the subjunctive mood, the verb in the main sentence takes the conditional (condizionale), as it only expresses a possibility too.

Anche se: more examples

anche se subjunctive

It is quite simple:

  • Anche se + indicativo = even though / although

Anche se non parla molto, Giacomo non è timido.

Even though he does not talk much, Giacomo is not shy.

Sono andata ad arrampicare anche se mi fa male la spalla.

I went climbing even though my shoulder hurts.

  • Anche se + congiuntivo = even if

Anche se mi chiamasse, non le parlerei.

Even if she called, I would not talk to her.

Andrei a trovarlo anche se mi dicesse di no.

I would go visit him even if he said no.

Still translating in your head? Wanna speak Italian for real? Check out Stefano's courses to think directly in Italian and become fluent fast!

FAQs on “Even though” and “even if” – anche se: Italian grammar lesson 43

How to say even though or although in Italian?

By using anche se + indicativo

How to say even fi in Italian?

By using anche se + congiuntivo

Stefano

Italian language tutor, course author, and polyglot. After learning 12 languages, I can tell you that we all master languages by listening and mimicking. With my method, you'll be speaking Italian from Lesson 1.

Follow me to fluency​

Receive my free resources once a week together with my best offers! No need to look around, just tell me where to send everything.

Follow me to fluency

Receive my free resources once a week together with my best offers! No need to look around, just tell me where to send everything.

Opt out at any time.

Leave a Reply

Share:

Still translating in your head?

Wanna speak Italian for real? Check out Stefano’s courses to think directly in Italian and become fluent fast!

Let me show you around

Try my courses for free​
ripeti con me mockup sm
Overcome your Barriers

Anything holding you back from becoming fluent?
Get on the right track today with my free checklist!

pain learning languages checklist preview
How long to fluency?

Find out how long it will take you to master Italian!
Get on the right track in 3 minutes.

dolce vita logo

We're already friends!

Coming from Luca and Marina?
Here's a special deal for you!
Just tell me where I should send the coupon.

50% OFF
all language resources

We're already friends!

Coming from All Language Resources?
Here's a special deal for you!
Just tell me where I should send the coupon.

50% OFF
GRAB A COUPON NOW, REDEEM IT LATER
50% OFF

To receive free resources once a week together with my best offers, just tell me where to send everything. Opt out at any time.