Mesmo Assim vs. Apesar Disso: Add a Contrast in Portuguese — Practice

Use mesmo assim for a compact ‘even so’

Mesmo assim introduces an action or result that continues despite a problem. It often appears after the obstacle, much like ‘even so’ or ‘still’ in English.

You can use it at the start of a sentence or after a comma. It comments on the whole situation rather than changing the tense of the verb that follows.

Use apesar disso to point back to the obstacle

Apesar disso also means ‘despite that’ or ‘in spite of it.’ Disso points back to the difficulty you just mentioned, while apesar de can introduce a noun or an infinitive directly.

The ideas often overlap, so choose the one that makes your sentence easier to follow. Add a clear subject and verb when the consequence needs emphasis.

Remember: Use mesmo assim for a natural ‘even so / anyway’ and apesar disso when you want to point back to an obstacle; apesar de can introduce a noun or infinitive.

Check your understanding

Choose the English meaning of each Portuguese example. Answer before looking back at the tables. These questions check the written examples in this guide; they are not a listening or proficiency test.

Recall the Portuguese, then say it

Read the English prompt and say a Portuguese version before opening the answer. The answer shows the example from the lesson; other natural translations may also work. Compare the meaning and the situation rather than counting a different word as automatically wrong.

1. It was raining; even so, we went for a walk.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Estava chovendo; mesmo assim, fomos caminhar.

2. The restaurant was full, but we waited anyway.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   O restaurante estava cheio, mas a gente esperou mesmo assim.

3. I was tired. Still, I finished the report.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Eu estava cansada. Mesmo assim, terminei o relatório.

4. The bus was late. Despite that, we arrived on time.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   O ônibus atrasou. Apesar disso, chegamos no horário.

5. Despite the rain, the game took place.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Apesar da chuva, o jogo aconteceu.

6. Despite being tired, he kept studying.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Apesar de estar cansado, ele continuou estudando.

Make the phrase useful to you

Choose one example you could actually use. Say it once from memory, then change one detail that fits your life, such as the person, place, time, or object. Check whether your change also needs a different verb form, article, or adjective ending. If it does, compare it with the pattern in the explanation.

Use mesmo assim for a natural ‘even so / anyway’ and apesar disso when you want to point back to an obstacle; apesar de can introduce a noun or infinitive.

Return to two prompts tomorrow without opening the answers first. If a phrase still feels difficult, shorten it to a useful chunk and build the complete sentence again.

Sources and your next lesson

This I Speak Portuguese practice guide builds on our Mesmo Assim vs. Apesar Disso: Add a Contrast in Portuguese lesson on Real Life Portuguese, with written recall tasks and additional speaking practice. The explanations and examples are teaching material; the practice questions are exercises, not a transcript of a recording.

To add Brazilian audio to your routine, choose a lesson in the Real Life Portuguese app. The app offers its own lessons and practice; this page does not imply that every example here has an app recording.