“Pero” and “Sino” in Spanish

These are two conjunctions that usually cause problems/confusions for some Spanish learners, but today we are going to explain them so you see it is not as complicated as it seems.

Pero: means ‘but’. Denotes restriction or correction, and is generally used when the second clause adds a qualification of what has been said before.

Examplea:

• Me han regalado una computadora, pero el teclado no funciona.
• María es inteligente, pero muy enojada.

Sino: could be translated as ‘but rather’. Generally in negative sentences and the second sentence corrects or denies the first.

Example:

• No me compré un carro rojo, sino azul.
• Luis no es tonto, sino inteligente.

Complete the following sentences with pero/sino:

1. Tu hermana es muy amable,   habla poco ¿no?
2. No quiero salir,  quedarme en casa.
3. No vine a dormir,   a trabajar.
4. Puedes quedarte,  no hagas mucho ruido.
5. Este camino es más largo,   es seguro.