Por Mais Que: Use This Portuguese ‘Even Though’ Pattern
Por mais que introduces a concession: even if something is true, the main result remains. The clause commonly uses the subjunctive.
Real Life Portuguese · 5 min read · Updated October 14, 2026
The short answer
Por mais que can mean “no matter how much,” “however much,” or “even though.” It introduces a concession: one fact is true, but it does not change the result in the main clause. The following verb commonly appears in the subjunctive.
Use por mais que when effort or degree does not change the result
The word mais can change to match the noun: por mais que (with a verb or idea), por mais que eu tente; por mais tempo que (however long); por mais perguntas que (however many questions).
Por mais que eu pratique, ainda fico nervoso antes da prova.
No matter how much I practice, I still get nervous before the exam.
Por mais tempo que a gente espere, a loja não vai abrir hoje.
No matter how long we wait, the store won’t open today.
Por mais perguntas que você tenha, pode perguntar.
No matter how many questions you have, you can ask.
Compare por mais que with mesmo assim
Por mais que introduces a dependent clause that sets up the concession. Mesmo assim means “even so” and usually connects two complete ideas. Both can express contrast, but they occupy different positions in the sentence.
In standard Brazilian Portuguese, the subjunctive is common after por mais que because the clause presents a conceded condition or degree. Conjugate the verb for its subject: eu tente, você tente, nós tentemos.
Por mais que estivesse cansada, ela terminou a leitura.
Even though she was tired, she finished the reading.
Estava cansada. Mesmo assim, terminou a leitura.
She was tired. Even so, she finished the reading.
Por mais que pareça difícil, podemos dividir a tarefa.
Even if it seems difficult, we can divide the task.
Put it into practice
Use por mais que + subjunctive to introduce a concession; use mesmo assim to connect a contrast as ‘even so.’
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “Even if it seems difficult, we can divide the task”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
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