When you’re learning Spanish, the words “sino” and “si no” can be a bit confusing at first. They might seem like twins, but their meanings and uses are like night and day. ¡Vamos a desglosarlos!
“Sino” – The Contrast
“Sino” is our conjunction that means “but rather” or “but instead.” It steps in after a negative statement to introduce a contrasting idea.
Examples:
- No es rojo, sino azul. (It’s not red, but blue.)
- No vine en coche, sino en tren. (I didn’t come by car, but by train.)
¡Clave! “Sino” always follows a negative and presents an alternative.
“Si no” – The Condition
“Si no” is simply the combination of “si” (if) and “no” (not). Together, they express “if not” or “otherwise.”
Examples:
- Debes llegar temprano, si no, perderás el vuelo. (You must arrive early, otherwise you’ll miss the flight.)
- Si no llueve, iremos al parque. (If it doesn’t rain, we’ll go to the park.)
¡Clave! “Si no” sets up a condition (the “if” part) and its consequence.
Quick Tip!
Think of “sino” as one word that contrasts, and “si no” as two separate words that create a conditional statement.
Special Case: “Sino que”
Sometimes you’ll encounter “sino que” instead of just “sino.” This is common when it’s followed by a clause with a conjugated verb.
- No solo es inteligente, sino que también es muy trabajador. (He’s not only intelligent, but he’s also very hardworking.)
Master Spanish!
Mastering the difference between “sino” and “si no” will take your Spanish to new heights. Pay attention to the context, and with practice, you’ll be using them like a native speaker in no time! ¡Buena suerte!