grammar.conjunctions.pero-sino
Pero vs sino: two kinds of 'but'
Pero adds a qualification (es caro, pero bueno); sino replaces after a negation (no es caro, sino barato). Before a conjugated verb: sino que.
⚠ Stub: AI-drafted outline, not yet reviewed. The structure is permanent; the content will be expanded.
grammarA2, B1stubdraftv0.1.0
Explanation
Sino requires a preceding negation and a substitution: no vino el lunes, sino el martes ('not Monday but Tuesday'). Pero merely contrasts: no vino, pero llamó.
Test: if you can say 'but rather', use sino. With full clauses: no solo llegó tarde, sino que olvidó todo. French speakers map sino ↔ 'mais (au contraire)'.
Examples
No quiero café, sino té.
I don't want coffee, but (rather) tea.
I don't want coffee, but (rather) tea.
Region: global
Es chico, pero cómodo.
It's small, but comfortable.
It's small, but comfortable.
Region: global