Meaning
Expresses that something happens despite a contrary factor.
Cultural Background
In Brazil, using 'a despeito de' in an essay for the ENEM (National High School Exam) is a highly recommended strategy to gain points in 'Competência 4', which evaluates the use of logical connectors. In Portugal, the phrase is frequently heard in political debates on RTP or SIC, where speakers maintain a high level of formality even in heated arguments. In African Lusophone countries, formal Portuguese often follows the European standard closely in official documents, making 'a despeito de' a common feature of government gazettes. Across the Lusophone world, 'a despeito de' is preferred over 'apesar de' in the 'Resumo' (Abstract) of scientific papers to maintain a professional tone.
The 'De' Rule
Never use 'que' after 'a despeito de'. If you need a verb, use the infinitive: 'A despeito de saber...' instead of 'A despeito que sabia...'
Don't Overuse
Using this phrase three times in one paragraph will make your writing look repetitive and 'try-hard'. Alternate with 'apesar de' and 'embora'.
Meaning
Expresses that something happens despite a contrary factor.
The 'De' Rule
Never use 'que' after 'a despeito de'. If you need a verb, use the infinitive: 'A despeito de saber...' instead of 'A despeito que sabia...'
Don't Overuse
Using this phrase three times in one paragraph will make your writing look repetitive and 'try-hard'. Alternate with 'apesar de' and 'embora'.
Register Awareness
If you use this in a casual WhatsApp group, your Brazilian friends might ask if you've become a lawyer overnight.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct contraction of 'a despeito de' + article.
A despeito ____ (o) mau tempo, o avião decolou.
'Mau tempo' is masculine singular, so 'de + o' becomes 'do'.
Which sentence uses 'a despeito de' correctly in a formal context?
Selecione a opção correta:
'A despeito de' should be followed by an infinitive (ter corrido) or a noun phrase.
Match the formal expression with its neutral equivalent.
Combine as colunas:
'Apesar de' is the most direct neutral synonym for 'a despeito de'.
Complete the dialogue with the most appropriate formal response.
Chefe: 'O projeto está muito caro.' Funcionário: '__________, os benefícios a longo prazo serão enormes.'
'A despeito do custo' correctly acknowledges the obstacle (cost) in a formal register.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Formal vs. Informal Concession
Practice Bank
4 exercisesA despeito ____ (o) mau tempo, o avião decolou.
'Mau tempo' is masculine singular, so 'de + o' becomes 'do'.
Selecione a opção correta:
'A despeito de' should be followed by an infinitive (ter corrido) or a noun phrase.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
'Apesar de' is the most direct neutral synonym for 'a despeito de'.
Chefe: 'O projeto está muito caro.' Funcionário: '__________, os benefícios a longo prazo serão enormes.'
'A despeito do custo' correctly acknowledges the obstacle (cost) in a formal register.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, they are semantically identical, but 'a despeito de' is much more formal and sophisticated.
Absolutely. It is very common to start a sentence with it to set the context of concession. Example: 'A despeito do risco, ele aceitou.'
No. Unlike 'embora' or 'ainda que', 'a despeito de' is a prepositional phrase and is followed by a noun or an infinitive.
Yes, it is used throughout the Lusophone world in formal writing and speech.
The most common mistake is forgetting to contract 'de' with the article (e.g., saying 'a despeito de o' instead of 'a despeito do').
No, that is grammatically incorrect. Always use 'de'.
It is equally common in the formal registers of both countries, though Brazilian academic writing uses it very frequently.
Yes, 'A despeito de João, o projeto continuou' (Despite João/Against João's will).
Not better, just different. 'Malgrado' is very archaic/literary. 'A despeito de' is the standard 'high-level' modern choice.
In Brazil: des-PAY-too. In Portugal: desh-PAY-too.
Related Phrases
Apesar de
synonymDespite / In spite of
Não obstante
similarNotwithstanding
Malgrado
synonymDespite
Embora
similarAlthough
