benché

Benché is an Italian conjunction that translates to "although," "even though," or "though." It is used to introduce a subordinate clause that expresses a contrast or concession to the main clause. Benché is a subjunctive mood conjunction, meaning it requires the verb in the subordinate clause to be in the subjunctive mood. This is a key characteristic that distinguishes it from other conjunctions like "anche se" which can take the indicative or subjunctive depending on the context and speaker's intent.

The structure typically follows the main clause followed by "benché" and then the subordinate clause. For example, "Ho studiato molto, benché fossi stanco" (I studied a lot, although I was tired). The verb "fossi" is in the imperfect subjunctive. Another example is "Verrò alla festa, benché non mi senta molto bene" (I will come to the party, even though I don't feel very well). Here, "senta" is in the present subjunctive.

While "anche se" can sometimes be used interchangeably with "benché," "benché" often carries a slightly more formal tone and a stronger sense of concession. It is a common feature in written Italian and formal speech. Understanding the requirement for the subjunctive mood is crucial for correct usage of "benché."