What is the Difference Between Sino and Pero?

The main difference between "sino" and "pero" in Spanish lies in their usage and the context in which they are used. Both words can be translated to "but" in English, but they are not interchangeable, as they convey slightly different meanings and are used in different contexts.

• Sino: This word is used to contradict or correct the statement before it. It translates into "but," "but rather," and "but instead". It is generally used in negative sentences where the second phrase negates or corrects the first. For example: "Hoy no voy a estudiar biología, sino matemáticas" (Today I'm not going to study biology, but rather math).
• Pero: This word is used to add information to the statement before it. It can also be translated as "but," "however," and "nevertheless". It is used to join two contrasting ideas when the second phrase does not negate the first, but rather adds to the first idea. For example: "No soy española, pero hablo bien el idioma" (I'm not Spanish, but I speak the language well).

In summary, the main difference between "sino" and "pero" in Spanish is that "sino" is used to contradict or correct the previous statement, while "pero" is used to add information or contrast without negating the previous statement.

Comparative Table: Sino vs Pero

The Spanish words "sino" and "pero" are both coordinating adversative conjunctions, also known as contrasting conjunctions, used to express contrast between the connected parts of a sentence. However, they are not interchangeable and have specific uses. Here are the key differences between "sino" and "pero":

In summary, "sino" is used when the first clause is negative and followed by a positive clause, while "pero" is used when the first clause is positive or when "but" can be replaced by "however" (sin embargo).