When writing in Spanish, you’ll often encounter “sino” and “si no.” These similar-looking terms serve distinct purposes in Spanish grammar. Let’s explore their differences.
Sino: Contrast and Correction
You use “sino” as a single word to express “but rather” or “but instead.” It appears after negative statements to introduce a contrasting alternative.
Examples:
- No quiero café, sino té. (I don’t want coffee, but rather tea.)
- No es americano, sino canadiense. (He’s not American, but rather Canadian.)
- No trabajo para ganar dinero, sino para ayudar a otros. (I don’t work to earn money, but rather to help others.)
Sino que
When following with a complete clause containing a conjugated verb, use “sino que”:
- No solo estudia español, sino que también aprende francés. (Not only does she study Spanish, but she also learns French.)
- No me gusta leer, sino que me encanta. (I don’t just like reading, I love it.)
Si no: Conditional Statements
“Si no” consists of two separate words meaning “if not” or “otherwise.” Use it to express conditions and their consequences.
Examples:
- Si no comes, tendrás hambre. (If you don’t eat, you’ll be hungry.)
- Debes estudiar, si no, reprobarás el examen. (You must study, otherwise you’ll fail the exam.)
- Si no hace sol, nos quedamos en casa. (If it’s not sunny, we’ll stay home.)
Key Differences
- Function:
- Sino: Creates contrast after negation
- Si no: Forms conditional statements
- Separability:
- Sino: Always written as one word
- Si no: Can be separated by commas or other words (Si hoy no…)
- Context:
- Sino: Must follow a negative statement
- Si no: Can appear in any conditional context
Remember: Think of “sino” as a corrective contrast and “si no” as setting up a condition and consequence.