What does "a pesar de" mean?
The phrase "a pesar de" means "despite" or "in spite of." It is a high-frequency connector used to link an obstacle or condition with an action that happens anyway. It is essential for moving beyond simple sentences and adding logic to your Spanish.
15 High-Frequency Examples
1.
A pesar del frío, salimos a caminar.
Despite the cold, we went out for a walk. (presente de indicativo)
Despite the cold, we went out for a walk. (presente de indicativo)
2.
Él siempre sonreía a pesar de sus problemas.
He always smiled despite his problems. (imperfecto de indicativo)
He always smiled despite his problems. (imperfecto de indicativo)
3.
Llegamos a tiempo a pesar del tráfico.
We arrived on time despite the traffic. (pretérito)
We arrived on time despite the traffic. (pretérito)
4.
Iremos a la playa a pesar de la lluvia.
We will go to the beach despite the rain. (futuro)
We will go to the beach despite the rain. (futuro)
5.
Yo compraría ese coche a pesar del precio.
I would buy that car despite the price. (potencial simple)
I would buy that car despite the price. (potencial simple)
6.
No creo que lo logren, a pesar de que sean muy inteligentes.
I don't think they will achieve it, despite the fact that they are very intelligent. (presente de subjuntivo)
I don't think they will achieve it, despite the fact that they are very intelligent. (presente de subjuntivo)
7.
Ella continuó trabajando a pesar de que estuviera cansada.
She continued working despite the fact that she was tired. (imperfecto de subjuntivo)
She continued working despite the fact that she was tired. (imperfecto de subjuntivo)
8.
Han ganado el partido a pesar de haber jugado mal.
They have won the match despite having played poorly. (perfecto de indicativo)
They have won the match despite having played poorly. (perfecto de indicativo)
9.
Ya habían terminado el proyecto a pesar de los retrasos.
They had already finished the project despite the delays. (pluscuamperfecto de indicativo)
They had already finished the project despite the delays. (pluscuamperfecto de indicativo)
10.
Apenas hubieron salido a pesar de la advertencia, se arrepintieron.
As soon as they had gone out despite the warning, they regretted it. (pretérito anterior)
As soon as they had gone out despite the warning, they regretted it. (pretérito anterior)
11.
Para entonces, habremos ahorrado dinero a pesar de los gastos.
By then, we will have saved money despite the expenses. (futuro perfecto)
By then, we will have saved money despite the expenses. (futuro perfecto)
12.
Él habría venido a pesar del cansancio, pero no pudo.
He would have come despite the fatigue, but he couldn't. (potencial compuesto)
He would have come despite the fatigue, but he couldn't. (potencial compuesto)
13.
Es increíble que hayan viajado a pesar de la huelga.
It's incredible that they have traveled despite the strike. (perfecto de subjuntivo)
It's incredible that they have traveled despite the strike. (perfecto de subjuntivo)
14.
Si hubieras estudiado a pesar del ruido, habrías aprobado.
If you had studied despite the noise, you would have passed. (pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo)
If you had studied despite the noise, you would have passed. (pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo)
15.
¡Sigue adelante a pesar de todo!
Keep going despite everything! (imperativo)
Keep going despite everything! (imperativo)