Explore Spanish conjunctions like y (and), pero (but), o (or), así que (so), and entonces (then) to connect ideas, contrast concepts, offer choices, and show consequences in everyday conversations.
  1. Y similar ideas or adds elements.
  2. But contrasts two ideas in one sentence.
  3. O shows options or alternatives.
  4. So and then indicate consequence or result.
Regla (Rule)Conjunción (Conjunction)Ejemplo (Example)
Unir palabras o frases (Join words or phrases)YMiremos la luna y las estrellas en el cielo. (Let's look at the moon and the stars in the sky.)
Contrastar palabras o frases (Contrast words or phrases)PeroQuiero observar el cielo, pero está nublado. (I want to observe the sky, but it is cloudy.)
Ofrecer opciones (Offer options)O¿Miras el norte o el sur? (Are you looking north or south?)
Consecuencia (Consequence)Así queHace sol, así que salimos al campo. (It is sunny, so we go out to the countryside.)
Conclusión (Conclusion)EntoncesSi miras hacia este lado, entonces estamos en el norte. (If you look that way, then we are in the north.)

Exceptions!

  1. Use e instead of y if the following word starts with "i" or "hi".

Exercise 1: Las conjunciones: "Y, Pero, O, Así que, Entonces"

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

y, entonces, así que, o, pero

1.
¿Miramos el norte ... el sur esta vez?
(Are we looking north or south this time?)
2.
Está nublado, ... lo dejamos para mañana.
(It is cloudy, so we will leave it for tomorrow.)
3.
Cayó la noche, ... comenzamos a observar las estrellas.
(Night fell, so we began to watch the stars.)
4.
Ya es noche, ... el cielo está claro.
(It is already night, but the sky is clear.)
5.
La estrella brilla ... la luna aparece detrás.
(The star shines and the moon appears behind.)
6.
Estamos en el sur, ... la luna se ve más alta.
(We are in the south, so the moon appears higher.)
7.
No había luna, ... vimos más estrellas.
(There was no moon, so we saw more stars.)
8.
Observo el cielo, ... no veo ninguna estrella
(I observe the sky, but I don't see any star)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct sentence in each group to properly use conjunctions in everyday camping and nature contexts.

1.
"O" indica alternativa, pero la frase sugiere que iremos a ambos, no solo a uno.
Aquí "pero" no es adecuado porque no hay contraste, solo se enumeran dos destinos.
2.
"Y" indica suma, pero la oración quiere ofrecer una alternativa, no insistir en ambos.
"Pero" contrasta ideas; aquí no aplica porque solo se ofrecen opciones.
3.
"O" no es adecuado porque no se presentan alternativas.
"Y" une dos ideas sin contraste, pero en este caso hay oposición, por eso "pero" es mejor.
4.
"O" indica alternativa, pero la frase describe causa y efecto, no opción.
"Y" solo une dos hechos, no resalta la consecuencia correctamente.

Conjunctions in Spanish: "Y, Pero, O, Así que, Entonces"

This lesson focuses on essential Spanish conjunctions used to connect words, phrases, or sentences. These connectors help you express addition, contrast, choices, and consequences clearly and effectively.

What You Will Learn

You will learn how to use these key conjunctions:

  • Y – used to join similar words or ideas.
  • Pero – introduces a contrast or exception in a sentence.
  • O – presents options or alternatives.
  • Así que and Entonces – show cause and effect or logical conclusions.

Examples in Context

Here are some example sentences to illustrate these conjunctions:

  • Miremos la luna y las estrellas en el cielo.
  • Quiero observar el cielo, pero está nublado.
  • ¿Miras el norte o el sur?
  • Hace sol, así que salimos al campo.
  • Si miras hacia este lado, entonces estamos en el norte.

Important Note on Usage

When using y, if the following word starts with the sound "i" or "hi," Spanish uses e instead to avoid the repetition of similar vowel sounds. For example, "padres e hijos" instead of "padres y hijos."

Additional Details

Conjunctions in Spanish are fundamental to forming complex and nuanced sentences. Knowing how to connect ideas appropriately will improve your fluency and comprehension when speaking and understanding Spanish.

Differences Between English and Spanish Conjunctions

While most conjunctions in Spanish and English serve similar functions, there are subtle differences to be aware of:

  • Y in Spanish means "and," but it changes to e before words starting with the sound "i" or "hi," unlike English where "and" is fixed.
  • Pero is directly equivalent to English "but," and highlights contrast.
  • O means "or," used to present alternatives, similar to English.
  • Así que and entonces are used to show cause and conclusion, often corresponding to "so" or "then" in English, but with slightly different placements in sentences.

Here are some useful phrases that illustrate these points:

  • Juan y María – John and Mary
  • Padres e hijos – Parents and children (notice the change from y to e)
  • Está lloviendo, pero voy a salir – It’s raining, but I’m going out
  • ¿Quieres té o café? – Do you want tea or coffee?
  • Hace frío, así que me pongo un abrigo – It's cold, so I’m putting on a coat
  • Si estudias, entonces tendrás éxito – If you study, then you will succeed

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