Mesmo assim

Think of mesmo assim as a connector. It loves sitting right at the start of a sentence or hanging out after a comma. You set the stage with a problem first. 'The pizza was cold.' Then you drop the hammer: Mesmo assim, eu comi tudo. (Even so, I ate it all). It creates a contrast that keeps people listening. It's great for texting because it's short and punchy. You can use it to justify a weird purchase or a late-night Netflix binge. 'I have a meeting at 8 AM. Mesmo assim, I'm watching one more episode.' It's the ultimate 'but anyway' for people who want to sound a bit more polished. Just remember to keep the context clear before you drop it. If you just say it out of nowhere, people will think you're arguing with an invisible friend. It needs that 'first half' of the thought to really shine.

This phrase is the Swiss Army knife of your Portuguese toolkit. It fits perfectly in a WhatsApp group with your best friends and works just as well in a Zoom call with your manager. In casual settings, it sounds like you're being relatable and honest about your bad decisions. In professional settings, it shows you are analytical—you see the risks, but you're focused on the goal. It's neutral, leaning slightly towards informal depending on your tone, but it never feels 'trashy' or overly stiff. It’s the kind of phrase that makes you sound like you’ve actually lived in Brazil or Portugal for a while. It's not academic like todavia or contudo, which are the kinds of words people use when they want to sound like they've swallowed a dictionary.

Imagine you're scrolling TikTok and see a recipe that looks like a literal disaster. You might comment, 'Parece estranho, mas mesmo assim quero provar!' (Looks weird, but even so I want to taste it!). Or think about your Uber driver taking a very 'creative' route. You're late, but mesmo assim you still give them five stars because they had good music. It’s for those moments when logic says 'no' but your heart (or your stomach) says 'yes.' You'll hear it in songs when a singer knows their ex is toxic but mesmo assim they’re going to call them at 2 AM. It's the language of human contradiction. We use it when we're tired but go to the gym, when we're broke but buy the shoes, and when we're confused but pretend we understand the movie.

Use it whenever you want to express persistence. It’s perfect for customer service when you aren't happy but want to move forward. 'The delivery is late, but mesmo assim I want the food.' It’s great for social media captions where you’re posting a 'failed' photo that you still like. It’s also a powerful tool for empathy. When a friend is complaining about a hard day, you can say, 'Eu sei que foi difícil, mas mesmo assim você arrasou.' (I know it was hard, but even so you crushed it). It shows you're paying attention to the struggle while celebrating the victory. It’s the 'despite that' that builds bridges between people. Use it to be the person who acknowledges the rain but still suggests a walk on the beach.

Don't use mesmo assim if there’s no conflict or contrast. If you say 'I like chocolate and mesmo assim I like vanilla,' people will look at you very strangely. There has to be a 'but' or a hurdle involved. It’s not a simple 'also' or 'and.' Also, avoid using it at the very beginning of a conversation without context. It’s a response or a continuation, not a conversation starter. You can't just walk up to a barista and say 'Mesmo assim, um café.' They will think you're finishing a conversation you had in your head. It’s also not strong enough for a total refusal. If someone asks you to do something dangerous, don't say mesmo assim. Say de jeito nenhum (no way)!

Learners often try to translate 'anyway' directly and end up with weird placements.

Another classic is trying to use it like mesmo que (even though).

Remember, mesmo assim is a standalone adverbial phrase. It doesn't need a verb attached to it directly like a conjunction does. It also isn't used to mean 'the same way.' If you want to say 'do it the same way,' you use do mesmo jeito. Using mesmo assim there would make it sound like you're doing it 'despite the way' you were told, which might get you fired if you're working in a kitchen!

If you want to sound a bit more 'high-end' or you're writing a formal email, you can swap it for ainda assim. It means the exact same thing but feels like you're wearing a blazer. If you're in a very casual mood, you might just use mas né (but, right?) to imply the 'even so' vibe without saying it. In some parts of Brazil, you might hear contudo in very formal speeches, but stick to mesmo assim for 99% of your life. It’s the most natural choice. There's also de qualquer forma (anyway/in any case), which is a close cousin but focuses more on the result than the contrast between the obstacle and the action.

Is mesmo assim always two words? Yes, always. Don't try to smash them together like some German compound word! Can I use it at the end of a sentence? Yes, but it’s much more common at the start or middle. Does it work in Portugal and Brazil? Absolutely, it’s a universal Portuguese superstar. Does it mean 'really so'? No, that would be mesmo? (really?) or é assim mesmo (that's just how it is). Is it related to mesmice? Only by root; mesmice is that boring 'sameness' of everyday life, whereas mesmo assim is the spark of doing something despite that boredom. Use it to break the mesmice!