19.5.1 embora = although
Although requires, in opposite to any other roman language, the conjunctivo. We have therefore a logical break. Other concessive conjunctions like ainda que, conquanto, posto que, se bem que, por muito que, por pouco que introduce a subordinate clause that describes a hypothetical situation. A conjunction of this type would be in English even if. However although doesn't describe a hypothetical situation.
Although he is poor, he is happy.
This is a fact and therefore the conjuntivo is not justified. However justified or not, in general embora is used with the conjuntivo. Seems that Portuguese see a similarity between although and even if, although there is none. Both are concessive conjunctions, describe an action / event that could prevent the acetion / event described in the main clause from happening without actually doing it. However conjunctions like ainda are used in a hypothetical context, "Even if he is tired, he comes along", but embora describes a real situation, "Although he is tired, he comes along".
| embora although |
Embora fosse tarde, fomos visitá-lo.  |
| Although it is late, we visited him. |
| Vou à praia, embora esteja chovendo. |
| Although it is raining, I go to the beach. |
| Embora trabalhe muito, não vivo para trabalhar. |
| Although he works a lot, he doesn't live to work. |
Embora can also be used as an adverb. In this case it means away.
Não vá embora. = Don't go away.
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