Italian: Expressing Contrast with 'nonostante' and 'malgrado' + Noun or Infinitive
Learn to express contrast in Italian using nonostante and malgrado followed by a noun or an infinitive, distinct from the conjunction anche se.
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In Italian, to say 'despite' or 'in spite of' before a noun or an -ing form, you generally use nonostante or malgrado. These are prepositions, so they introduce a noun phrase or an infinitive, not a full clause with a conjugated verb. This differs from anche se ('although'), which introduces a clause. For example, 'Despite the rain, we went out' becomes Nonostante la pioggia, siamo usciti. Here nonostante is followed by the noun la pioggia. When the meaning is 'despite doing something', Italian uses the infinitive: Nonostante studiare molto, non ha superato l'esame. Note that nonostante and malgrado are largely interchangeable in standard Italian, though malgrado can sound slightly more formal or literary. Also, when the subject of the infinitive is the same as the main clause, the infinitive is used directly; if different, Italian often prefers a full clause with anche se or nonostante + subjunctive. This lesson focuses on the prepositional use with nouns and infinitives.
By the end, you can…
- use nonostante and malgrado with a noun to express contrast.
- use nonostante and malgrado with an infinitive to mean 'despite doing something'.
- distinguish nonostante + noun/infinitive from anche se + clause.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
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Nonostante la pioggia, siamo usciti.
Despite the rain, we went out.
no-no-STAN-te la PYOD-ja, SYA-mo oo-SHEE-tee
Standard use with a noun; nonostante is the most common preposition for 'despite'.
Malgrado il traffico, siamo arrivati in orario.
In spite of the traffic, we arrived on time.
mal-GRA-do eel TRAF-fee-ko, SYA-mo ar-ree-VA-tee een o-RA-ryo
Malgrado is slightly more formal than nonostante but widely used.
Nonostante studiare molto, non ha superato l'esame.
Despite studying a lot, he didn't pass the exam.
no-no-STAN-te stoo-DYA-re MOL-to, non a soo-pe-RA-to le-ZA-me
Infinitive after nonostante when the subject is the same as the main clause. This construction is grammatical but somewhat formal; in everyday speech, a clause with the subjunctive (Nonostante abbia studiato molto...) is more common.
Malgrado le difficoltà, hanno continuato.
Despite the difficulties, they continued.
mal-GRA-do le dif-fee-kol-TA, AN-no kon-tee-noo-A-to
Noun after malgrado; note the plural noun difficoltà is invariable.
Nonostante tutto, sono contento.
Despite everything, I'm happy.
no-no-STAN-te TOOT-to, SO-no kon-TEN-to
Common fixed expression nonostante tutto meaning 'despite everything'.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
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Useful pattern
The core pattern is: Nonostante / Malgrado + noun phrase or infinitive, followed by the main clause. Examples: Nonostante il freddo, siamo andati al parco. (Despite the cold, we went to the park.) Malgrado le critiche, ha continuato a lavorare. (Despite the criticism, she kept working.) With an infinitive: Nonostante lavorare molto, guadagna poco. (Despite working a lot, he earns little.) The infinitive is used when the subject of the action is the same as the main clause subject. If the subjects differ, Italian normally uses a full clause with anche se or nonostante + subjunctive: Nonostante lui lavori molto, guadagna poco. (Although he works a lot, he earns little.)
When to use it
Use nonostante or malgrado when you want to present a contrasting circumstance as a noun or an action in the infinitive. They are prepositions, so they cannot be followed by a conjugated verb directly. For example, say Nonostante la stanchezza, siamo rimasti. (Despite the tiredness, we stayed.) Do not say *Nonostante siamo stanchi, siamo rimasti* if you mean 'despite being tired' with the same subject; that would be a clause and would require a subjunctive: Nonostante siamo stanchi, siamo rimasti. (Although we are tired, we stayed.) In everyday speech, nonostante is more frequent; malgrado is common in writing and formal speech. Both are standard.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Nonostante il maltempo, andiamo alla festa?
Despite the bad weather, shall we go to the party?no-no-STAN-te eel mal-TEM-po, an-DYA-mo AL-la FES-taSì, malgrado la pioggia, voglio uscire.
Yes, in spite of the rain, I want to go out.see, mal-GRA-do la PYOD-ja, VO-lyo oo-SHEE-reNonostante l'arrivo in ritardo, possiamo entrare?
Despite arriving late, can we go in?no-no-STAN-te lar-REE-vo een ree-TAR-do, pos-SYA-mo en-TRA-reCerto, nonostante tutto, la festa continua.
Of course, despite everything, the party goes on.CHER-to, no-no-STAN-te TOOT-to, la FES-ta kon-TEE-noo-aA little context goes a long way
In Italian, nonostante and malgrado are both standard, but malgrado can sound slightly more formal or literary. In casual conversation, nonostante is more common. Also, the subjunctive is often used after nonostante when it introduces a clause, but with nouns and infinitives, no subjunctive is needed. Regional variation is minimal; both forms are understood throughout Italy.
One thing to watch for
*Nonostante piove, siamo usciti.*
Try this instead: Nonostante is a preposition, so it cannot be followed by a conjugated verb like piove. Use a noun or infinitive: Nonostante la pioggia, siamo usciti. (Despite the rain, we went out.) If you want a clause, use anche se: Anche se pioveva, siamo usciti. (Although it was raining, we went out.)
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1Translate: 'Despite the traffic, we arrived on time.' Use nonostante.
Show a sample answer
Nonostante il traffico, siamo arrivati in orario.
Nonostante is followed by the noun il traffico. The main clause uses the passato prossimo. Malgrado il traffico is also correct.
2Translate: 'Despite studying a lot, she didn't pass the exam.' Use malgrado.
Show a sample answer
Malgrado studiare molto, non ha superato l'esame.
Malgrado + infinitive studiare is used because the subject is the same. Note that the infinitive is not preceded by 'di' here. This construction is grammatical but somewhat formal; in everyday speech, a clause with the subjunctive (Malgrado abbia studiato molto, non ha superato l'esame) is more common.
3Which is correct: 'Nonostante lui è stanco, esce' or 'Nonostante la stanchezza, esce'?
Show a sample answer
Nonostante la stanchezza, esce.
Nonostante cannot be followed by a conjugated verb directly. The first option is incorrect; you would need anche se lui è stanco or nonostante lui sia stanco (subjunctive). The second uses a noun, which is correct.
Use nonostante or malgrado + noun or infinitive to mean 'despite' or 'in spite of'. Remember: no conjugated verb directly after them; use anche se for a full clause.
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