Common Spanish Conjunctions
Spanish English
y
and
e
and
o
or
u
and
pero
but
mas
but
sino
but, rather
entonces
then
ni…ni
neither…nor
o…o
either…or
sea…sea
either…or
¿Quieres una manzana o una naranja?
Do you want an apple or an orange?
Hablo inglés y español.
I speak English and Spanish.
Quiere aprender italiano, pero no tiene tiempo.
He wants to learn Italian, but doesn’t have the time.
Tricky Conjunctions
Some conjunctions are a bit tricky since they can mean the same thing or have forms that change. See the examples below to compare their uses.
Pero, Sino, and Mas
Pero and mas mean but and are used to contrast two statements.
Quieren viajar a Costa Rica, pero no tienen suficiente dinero.
They want to travel to Costa Rica, but they don’t have enough money.
Voy a la playa, mas no tengo una toalla.
I am going to the beach, but I don’t have a towel.
Sino also means but, but is used to introduce an affirmation that contrasts a previous negative statement.
Mi hermano no es alto, sino bajo.
My brother isn’t tall, but short.
No vino a escuchar, sino a cantar.
I didn’t come to listen, but to sing.
Y and E
When y comes before a word that begins with a i- or hi-, it changes to an e.
Y does not change to e before words that begin with hie-.
Hablo español e inglés.
I speak Spanish and English.
Necesito productos de limpieza e higiene.
I need cleaning and hygiene products.
Me encanta tener té y hielo cuando hace calor.
I love having tea and ice when it is hot.
O and U
When o comes before a word that begins with a o- or ho-, it changes to an u.
¿Quieres ir a Nueva York u Orlando?
Do you want to go to New York or Orlando?
Debes decir "buenos días" u "hola".
You should say "good morning" or "hello."
