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"Aunque" is a conjunction which is often translated as "even though", and "aunque sea" is a phrase which is often translated as "even if it's". Learn more about the difference between "aunque" and "aunque sea" below.
aunque(
owng
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keh
)A conjunction is a word that connects words, phrases, clauses, or sentences (e.g., The cat and the dog slept.).
a. even though
Aunque está lloviendo, el paisaje está precioso.Even though it's raining, the scenery is beautiful.
b. although
Aunque no quedaba mucho tiempo, terminaron la carrera.Although there wasn't much time left, they finished the race.
aunque sea(
owng
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keh
seh
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ah
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
a. even if it's
¿Por qué no te vienes con nosotros a la playa? Aunque sea solo un ratito de nada.Why don't you come to the beach with us? Even if it's only for a little while.
b. at least
¿Me puedes dejar algo de dinero? Venga, cinco euros aunque sea.Can I borrow some money? Come on, at least five euros.
c. even if he's (masculine)
Un hombre, aunque sea feo, puede resultar interesante, pero a nosotras las mujeres nos miran siempre con lupa.A guy, even if he's ugly, can still be interesting, but we women are always under the magnifying glass.
d. even if she's (feminine)
Esto demuestra que una mujer, aunque sea muy inteligente, difícilmente consigue un trabajo así.This proves that a woman, even if she's very intelligent, is unlikely to land a job like that.
e. even if you're (formal)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
Aunque sea novato, podrá igual participar en todas las actividades desde el primer día.Even if you're a beginner, you'll still be able to take part in all activities from the first day.
a. even though it's
Todos los cafés están llenos, aunque sea día de diario.All the cafés are full of people, even though it's a working day.
b. even though he's (masculine)
Aunque sea inteligente para los estudios, carece totalmente de inteligencia emocional.Even though he's intelligent when it comes to his studies, he has no emotional intelligence whatsoever.
c. even though she's (feminine)
Aunque sea un poco antipática, luego se vuelca cuando tienes cualquier problema.Even though she's a bit unfriendly, she then goes out of her way to help you when you have any problem.
d. even though you're (formal)
A word or phrase used to refer to the second person formal “usted” by their conjugation or implied context (e.g., usted).
Aunque sea nuestro jefe, usted no tiene derecho a hablarnos así.Even though you're our boss, you don't have the right to talk to us like that.
e. even though I'm
Ya sabes que, aunque sea crítico con algunos aspectos de tu trabajo, lo valoro mucho en su conjunto.You know that, even though I'm critical of some aspects of your work, I value it a lot as a whole.
