Apesar disso

Using apesar disso is like placing a sturdy brick in a wall. It usually sits at the very beginning of a new sentence to reference everything you just said in the previous one. For example: 'It rained all day. Apesar disso, the party was a success.' Notice how it refers back to the 'rain' without you having to repeat the word 'rain.' That is the magic of the disso part (which is a contraction of de + isso, meaning 'of that'). You can also use it after a semicolon if you are feeling a bit fancy in a professional email. One thing to remember: it almost always requires a comma immediately after it when it starts a sentence. It sets the stage for the contrast. You can think of it as a signal to your listener to brace themselves for a pivot. It is like telling a friend, 'Yeah, I know I'm broke, but I'm still buying this coffee.' We all have those days, right? Just make sure the thing following the phrase is the thing you want to emphasize.

This phrase is the ultimate social chameleon. It fits perfectly in a high-stakes job interview when you are explaining why you left your last job but are still the best candidate. It also works in a WhatsApp group when you are complaining about a bad movie but admitting the popcorn was good. It sits right in the 'neutral-to-formal' zone. In very slang-heavy conversations, you might hear mesmo assim more often, which is its laid-back cousin. However, you will never sound 'too formal' using apesar disso. It is safe. It is the 'business casual' of the Portuguese language. If you are writing an academic paper, use it. If you are texting your mom about a broken vase, use it. It provides a level of clarity that native speakers appreciate because it organizes your thoughts logically. It shows you aren't just reacting emotionally, but that you are processing information. Plus, it makes you sound like you actually studied your grammar, which is always a nice bonus for a learner!

You will see this phrase everywhere once you start looking. On Netflix, subtitles often use it to translate 'nevertheless' or 'despite that' during dramatic dialogue. In news articles, journalists use it to show that a politician's plan failed but they are trying again. On Instagram, you might see a fitness influencer post: 'I was tired today. Apesar disso, I went to the gym.' It is the 'no excuses' phrase of the internet age. Even in food delivery apps, if there is a delay, you might see a notification like: 'The traffic is heavy. Apesar disso, your pizza is on the way.' (Though let’s be real, we only care about the pizza). In gaming, you might use it when your team is losing: 'We lost the first round. Apesar disso, we can still win the match!' It is a phrase of hope and stubbornness. It is the linguistic equivalent of a shoulder shrug followed by a determined walk forward.

Use this when you want to sound like you are weighing two sides of an argument. It is perfect for transitions. If you just finished a paragraph about the downsides of living in a big city (the noise, the cost, the smell of mysterious puddles), you can start the next paragraph with Apesar disso to talk about the culture and the jobs. It is also great for 'softening' a negative statement. Instead of just saying 'No,' you can say, 'I understand your point. Apesar disso, I disagree.' It makes the disagreement feel less like an attack and more like a different perspective. Use it when you want to highlight resilience. Use it when you are telling a story and want to create a bit of tension. 'The plane was shaking. Apesar disso, the pilot stayed calm.' It keeps people listening because they want to know how the 'despite' part ends.

Don't use apesar disso if you haven't actually mentioned a previous fact. You can't just walk up to someone and say 'Apesar disso, I'm happy' unless you've already talked about your car breaking down or your cat eating your homework. It needs context to function. Also, avoid using it for very simple, direct contrasts where mas (but) is enough. If you say, 'I like apples. Apesar disso, I like oranges,' people will look at you like you’ve had too much espresso. There is no 'obstacle' there, just a preference. Also, don't confuse it with apesar de. If you want to mention the specific thing you are 'despising' in the same sentence, you use apesar de. For example, Apesar de estar chovendo (Despite it being raining). You use apesar disso as a standalone reference to a previous sentence. Using them interchangeably is a classic 'gringo' move that will give you away instantly.

One of the biggest blunders is redundancy. Many learners try to combine it with mas, saying ✗ Mas apesar disso... This is like saying 'But despite this but.' Just pick one! Another common slip-up is forgetting the comma. In Portuguese, that pause is important for the rhythm of the sentence. Some people also try to use it to mean 'besides that,' but that would be além disso. Remember: apesar is for contrast, além is for adding more info.

• ✗ Eu estou cansado. Mas apesar disso, vou trabalhar. → ✓ Eu estou cansado. Apesar disso, vou trabalhar. (Don't double up on connectors!)
• ✗ Apesar disso que ele disse... → ✓ Apesar do que ele disse... (If you add a clause after, the 'disso' changes to 'do que').
• ✗ Eu não tenho dinheiro. Além disso, vou viajar. → ✓ Eu não tenho dinheiro. Apesar disso, vou viajar. (Unless you're traveling specifically because you're broke, which is a bold strategy).

Portuguese is a rich language, so you have options. If you want to sound very fancy, you can use contudo or no entanto. These are like wearing a tuxedo to a sentence party. If you are hanging out with friends and want to sound more casual, use mesmo assim. It literally means 'even so' or 'even like that.' It is the most common spoken alternative. In some regions of Brazil, you might hear ainda assim. In Portugal, you might encounter não obstante, which is very formal and often found in legal documents or high-end literature. If you see não obstante in a text message, someone is either a lawyer or being very sarcastic. Stick to apesar disso for most of your needs—it is the perfect middle ground. It is like the 'Ouroboros' of transitions; it always comes back to being useful.

Is it the same as 'nevertheless'? Yes, exactly. It functions just like 'nevertheless' or 'nonetheless' in English, providing a formal but accessible transition between two opposing ideas.

Can I use it at the end of a sentence? Not usually. In English, we can say 'I went anyway,' but in Portuguese, apesar disso almost always starts the thought. If you want to put it at the end, you'd usually use assim mesmo.

Does it change for gender or number? Nope! Disso stays disso whether you are talking about one problem or ten, a male friend or a female boss. It is a solid, unchangeable block of logic.

Is it used more in Brazil or Portugal? Both! It is a standard part of the language across the entire Lusophone world, from Lisbon to Luanda to Rio. You can use it anywhere without fear.