Difference même si

Question

I have read the answers above but it is still not clear to me whether there is any difference in meaning between bien que and même si (regardless of the tense following). Thank you.

Cécile Janty-Davies · Accepted Answer

Bonjour Patricia, 
The main difference lies in the type of contrast they express:
Bien que (although/even though)
Expresses a concession - something that contrasts with what you'd normally expect - always followed by the subjunctive.
The contrast is between two real facts.
Bien qu'il soit riche, il est malheureux = Although he's rich, he's unhappy.)
Même si (even if) 
Expresses a hypothesis or condition that doesn't change the outcome.
Followed by the indicative (or conditional).
Often implies a more hypothetical or potential situation.
Même s'il est riche, il est malheureux = Even if he's rich, he's unhappy.)
 
Compare:
Bien qu'il pleuve, je vais sortir. = It IS raining, but I'm still going out (surprising given the rain)
Même s'il pleut, je vais sortir. = Even IF it rains, I'm going out (rain won't stop me, whether it happens or not)
Hope this helps!

Jim Jones · Answer

Bonjour Patricia,https://forum.wordreference.com/threads/fr-bien-que-m%C3%AAme-si.1660177/I found a very similar query in the above thread  --  it may help you to read the various opinions there, in particular that of Maître Capella.Not at all, of course, to degrade our own Kwiziq experts.Bonne continuationJim