Using "y eso que" in Spanish for despite/even though
How to use "y eso que" in Spanish
Although more colloquial, we use y eso que... in a very similar way to aunque or a pesar de que, meaning although/ even though / despite.
Let's see some examples:
No le gusta nada el café, y eso que es colombiano.He doesn't like coffee at all, even though he is Colombian.
Mis primas son muy humildes, y eso que son de una familia aristocrática.My cousins are very humble, and this despite belonging to an aristocratic family.
Manuel ha salido con los amigos hoy. Y eso que le dije que estaba castigado.Manuel went out with his friends today, even though I told him he was grounded.
- Laura dice que se muere por sus huesos. - ¡Vaya! Y eso que lo conoce desde hace dos días.- Laura says that she is crazy about him. - Wow! Even though she only met him a couple of days ago...
As you can see in the examples, the information introduced by "y eso que" indicates a contrast, similar to the function of aunque/a pesar de (que), but using "y eso que" adds an extra element of surprise.
Generally "aunque/a pesar de (que)" are used in subordinate clauses that are not separated from the main clause, but "y eso que" is often used separately, so it's seen as a more independent sentence:
No viaja en primera clase, aunque es millonario.He doesn't travel first class, although he is a millionaire.
No viaja en primera clase, a pesar de ser millonario.He doesn't travel first class, even though he is a millionaire.
No viaja en primera clase. ¡Y eso que es millonario!He doesn't travel first class; even though/ and he is a millionaire!
The third example using "y eso que" works as an independent sentence.
It is important to note that "y eso que" is always used with the indicative, never with the subjunctive.
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