It won’t come as a shock that “however” is probably the most widespread phrases within the English language.

You must assume the identical goes for Spanish, so it is best to study the equivalents.

That’s proper: equivalents, plural. Spanish has 5 phrases that seize what the English catch-all “however” expresses.

However don’t panic! Studying the distinctions between these related phrases is straightforward with a little bit of apply. All you must do is study the phrases for “however,” “however reasonably” and “besides” in Spanish.

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Pero
: the Huge “However”

Which means: However

Pero is the most typical strategy to say “however” in Spanish.

And luckily, it’s simple to grasp: Merely put, pero is used when the second a part of the sentence doesn’t contradict the primary.

For example this level, let’s take this English sentence:

I’ve canines, however I don’t have cats.

The primary a part of the sentence establishes the truth that you have got canines and the second half does nothing to problem this assertion as a result of having a canine or having a cat aren’t mutually unique. Subsequently, the sentence in Spanish could be:

Tengo perros, pero no tengo gatos.

Nonetheless a bit confused? We’ll allow you to in on just a little cheat: Should you can substitute “however” in English by breaking the sentence into two and beginning the second with “nonetheless,” then it is best to use pero in Spanish.

Let’s look again at our unique instance. “I’ve canines, however I don’t have cats” may be rephrased as “I’ve canines. Nonetheless, I don’t have cats” and retain its unique that means. Subsequently, pero is sensible within the Spanish translation.

Listed below are a number of extra sentences with pero:

Me gusta la paella, pero a él no.
 — I just like the paella, however he doesn’t.

Tiene clase mañana, pero no va a ir.
 — He has class tomorrow, however he’s not going to go.

Queremos ir a Puerto Rico, pero no tenemos suficiente dinero.
— We need to go to Puerto Rico, however we don’t find the money for.

Sino
: For Making Contradictions

Which means: However reasonably

Should you’ve made a pastime out of correcting different individuals, then you definitely’re going to like sino.

Although they each translate to “however,” sino features very otherwise from pero. Whereas pero is used when the second a part of the sentence doesn’t contradict the primary, sino is used when a contradiction exists.

Let’s check out an instance:

No estoy en Uruguay, sino Paraguay.
— I’m not in Uruguay, however Paraguay.

Sino is used on this sentence as a result of the truth that you’re in Paraguay implies that you’re not in Uruguay. Right here, the second a part of the sentence (usher in Paraguay) negates the primary (being in Uruguay).

Identical to the “nonetheless” trick with pero, there’s a shortcut you should utilize with sino, as effectively: If the phrase “however” may be changed by “however reasonably” within the English sentence, then it is best to use sino within the corresponding Spanish sentence.

Because the English sentence above may be logically modified to “I’m not in Uruguay, however reasonably Paraguay,” the Spanish translation is sensible.

Now, are you prepared for a twist?

Sino is simply used when “however” is adopted by a noun or non-conjugated verb. If there’s a conjugated verb in there, sino modifications to sino que. However don’t fear, all of our guidelines about sino nonetheless apply with sino que.

Prepared for an instance?

No caminaron, sino que corrieron.
 — They didn’t stroll, however they ran.

Sino is used right here as a result of the truth that they ran means they couldn’t have walked. And since corrieron is a conjugated verb, the phrase que is added after sino.

Earlier than we transfer on, there’s another use of sino and sino que it is best to find out about: The English construction “Not solely x, but in addition y” is rendered in Spanish as “No solo x, sino y también.”

For instance:

No solo hablo español, sino francés también.
— I communicate not solely Spanish, however additionally French.

Let’s check out some extra sentences with sino:

No somos de Los Ángeles, sino de Nueva York.
 — We’re not from Los Angeles, however reasonably New York.

No salta, sino que vuela.
— It doesn’t leap, however reasonably flies.

No solo tiene pan tostado, sino huevos también.
 — He doesn’t simply have toast, however eggs too.

Excepto / Salvo / Menos
: For Making Exceptions

Which means: Besides

Excepto, salvo and menos can all be used when stating exceptions to a common rule. In different phrases, they’re loads just like the English “besides.”

In English, “however” and “besides” act as synonyms in lots of instances. When this occurs, excepto, salvo and menos all work. Although these three phrases produce other definitions as effectively, they’ll all be used to imply “however” with no distinction in that means.

To drive this level dwelling, let’s attempt translating this sentence into Spanish:

Everybody however Jorge mentioned sure.

Since “however” may be changed by “besides” and nonetheless make sense, we will use excepto, salvo or menos. We subsequently have three potential methods to jot down this sentence:

Todos excepto Jorge dijeron que sí.

Todos salvo Jorge dijeron que sí.

Todos menos Jorge dijeron que sí.

Listed below are a number of extra examples that may use any one among these phrases:

Nos gustan todos los animales excepto los chanchos.
— We like all of the animals however the pigs.

Han ido a cada estado salvo Nevada.
 — They’ve been to each state however Nevada.

Tengo tiempo libre cada día menos el martes.
 — I’ve free time each day however Tuesday.

Wish to hear “however” in Spanish in context in genuine movies made for a by fluent audio system? FluentU has a big video library—vlogs, music movies, film trailers and extra—that they’ve become enjoyable and efficient language studying classes. 

Every video has correct interactive subtitles. Click on on any phrase to see its definition, spelling and wherein different movies the phrase seems. Click on on “pero” and also you’ll get a whole lot of outcomes to see and listen to this phrase in context.

And that’s all there may be to it! Put your new phrases to make use of in conversations and by no means confuse your Spanish “however” expressions once more.

Obtain:
This weblog submit is obtainable as a handy and transportable PDF that you just
can take anyplace.
Click on right here to get a duplicate. (Obtain)