Using 'aunque'
Does the use of 'aunque' require the subjunctive? For example, discussing homework: "I'll get this even if it kills me" Would that be "La entenderé aunque me mata", "La entenderé aunque me mate", or something completely different that I'm not getting? (if anyone is wondering about the 'la', I'm referring to 'la tarea' or specifically 'la lectura' that I'm so determined to understand.
2 Answers
Other adverbial conjunctions:
Aunque (although, even though, even if). The indicative is used if a fact is involved or the outcome is known; otherwise the subjunctive is used:
Lo haré aunque no le gusta. I'll do it, even though she doesn't like it. ..... [Indicative It is a fact that she doesn't like it.]
Lo haré aunque no le guste. ......I'll do it, even though she may not like it. [Subjunctive]
So if it would actually kill you, then you would use the indicative.
I will learn it even though it will kill me.
If we are unsure of the outcome, then you would use the subjunctive.
I will learn it even though it might kill me.
"Does the use of 'aunque' require the subjunctive? For example, discussing homework: "I'll get this even if it kills me" Would that be "La entenderé aunque me mata", "La entenderé aunque me mate", or something completely different that I'm not getting? (if anyone is wondering about the 'la', I'm referring to 'la tarea' or specifically 'la lectura' that I'm so determined to understand."
¡Hola!
No, the subjunctive doesn't work here.
Se podría decir "La entenderé aunque me mate", pero dialectalmente, hay expresiones que son mas auténticas como "La entenderé, aunque sea lo último que haga", que se traduce como "I'll get it if it's the last thing I do." Now, you should not be surprised if you see "La entenderé, aunque me mata" (note the comma between "entenderé" and "aunque"). In that case, although "me mata" means it kills me, it's not the subjunctive, but the third person indicative. It basically means "I will get it, although the assignment is so hard it kills me". I hope this helped. 
