cu toate că

Although Formal

Level 4

Use cu toate că to introduce a factual obstacle that didn't stop an action. It is more formal and emphatic than the common deși.

How It Works

Although
Cu toate că introduces a concessive clause: Cu toate că este frig, ieșim (“Although it is cold, we are going out”). It is common in careful speech and writing.

Clause structure
Keep the whole connector cu toate că and follow it with a finite clause. The subject can be omitted when Romanian verb forms and context make it clear.

Mood
The indicative is common for facts: Cu toate că am încercat, nu am reușit. A conditional is also possible, for example Cu toate că aș vrea să vin, nu pot (“Although I would like to come, I cannot”). Do not treat the connector as an absolute indicative-only rule.

Contrast
Pentru că gives a cause. Cu toate că introduces an obstacle despite which the result holds. Chiar dacă can describe a factual or hypothetical obstacle.

Use a comma to separate the concessive clause in these examples.

Examples (4)

  1. Cu toate că era foarte obosit, a continuat să lucreze.

    Although he was very tired, he continued to work.

    Word by Word: With all that (he) was very tired, (he) has continued to work.

    Here, 'era' is in the imperfect indicative, showing a factual state of being tired.

  2. Echipa a pierdut, cu toate că a jucat bine.

    The team lost, even though they played well.

    Word by Word: The team has lost, with all that (it) has played well.

    The concession follows the main clause, separated by a comma.

  3. Cu toate că prețurile au crescut, oamenii cumpără la fel de mult.

    Despite the fact that prices rose, people are buying just as much.

    Word by Word: With all that the prices have grown, the people buy at the same of much.

    Used here to highlight a surprising factual contrast in an economic context.

  4. Voi merge la plimbare, cu toate că plouă.

    I will go for a walk although it is raining.

    Word by Word: I will go to walk, with all that (it) rains.

    The present indicative 'plouă' confirms that the rain is a current fact, not a hypothesis. Note the mandatory comma before the conjunction.

Common Mistakes

  • Replacing că with să inside the connector.

    Cu toate să este frig, ieșim.
    Cu toate că este frig, ieșim.

    The connector is cu toate că. Its final că introduces the following clause.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

cu toate căLevel 4Although Formal

Learn This First

Recognize concession before using another connector for an asserted contrast.

Words in This Pattern

cu toate că