Some words are small, but their impact is enormous.
Think about how often we use “but” in conversation — to contrast, to correct, to explain, or even to soften a truth.
When I first started learning Spanish, I realized that even a simple word like “but” carried deep meaning. One day, while chatting with a Spanish friend in Madrid, I said:
“Me gusta el café, pero prefiero el té.”
She smiled and said, “Ah, pero — that’s how we show we have another side to our story.”
That moment hit me: this tiny connector — pero — was more than grammar. It was emotion. It was balance.
Learning how to say “but” in Spanish isn’t just about translation — it’s about understanding how Spanish speakers express contrast with warmth, honesty, and rhythm.
🗺️ Table: How to Say “But” in Different Languages
| Language | Word for “But” | Cultural or Linguistic Insight |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | Pero / Sino | “Pero” for contrast; “sino” for correction. Both express nuance and emphasis. |
| English | But | Common connector to contrast or soften statements. |
| French | Mais | Often used emotionally — the French “mais oui!” adds warmth. |
| Italian | Ma | Reflects the dramatic rhythm of Italian speech. |
| German | Aber | Firm and clear; often emphasizes logical contrast. |
| Portuguese | Mas | Similar to Spanish; used with musical intonation in speech. |
| Arabic | Lakin (لكن) | Deeply expressive; often softens disagreements. |
| Hindi | Lekin (लेकिन) | Shows contrast but with emotional tone — often gentle. |
| Mandarin (Chinese) | Dànshì (但是) | Used in polite, structured speech; formal contexts. |
| Japanese | Demo (でも) | Informal and friendly, often used in storytelling. |
| Turkish | Ama | Soft contrast, similar to Spanish “pero.” |
| Swahili | Lakini | Used like “but” or “however,” often in storytelling. |
| Zulu | Kodwa | Expresses opposition in conversation or emphasis. |
| Greek | Alla (αλλά) | Carries both emotional and logical contrast. |
| Korean | Geureonde (그런데) | Literally means “by the way” or “but,” blending contrast and transition. |
🇪🇸 How Do You Say “But” in Spanish?
The Spanish word for “but” is “pero.”
Pronunciation: PEH-roh.
You use “pero” to contrast two ideas, just like in English:
- Quiero ir, pero estoy cansado. — “I want to go, but I’m tired.”
However, there’s another Spanish word for “but” — “sino.”
You use “sino” when you’re correcting something negative:
- No quiero café, sino té. — “I don’t want coffee, but rather tea.”
👉 Quick Grammar Tip:
- “Pero” = contrast (like “but”).
- “Sino” = correction (like “but rather”).
Cultural Insight:
In Spanish, tone matters. When you say “pero…” at the start of a sentence, it can also express emotion — surprise, hesitation, or affection:
¡Pero qué bonito! — “But how beautiful!”
The word “pero” adds warmth and melody to Spanish speech — a linguistic dance between logic and emotion.
🇪🇺 European Languages: The Art of Contrast
Europe’s languages give “but” their own emotional color:
- French — “Mais”: Used in daily life and passionate expressions: Mais non! (Of course not!)
- Italian — “Ma”: Often exaggerated in tone: Ma dai! (“Come on!”)
- German — “Aber”: Logical and firm — typical of German precision.
- Portuguese — “Mas”: Flows naturally in conversation, musical and smooth.
- Greek — “Alla”: Strongly contrasts ideas, rooted in classical rhetoric.
Across Europe, this little word shows not just difference — but personality.
🌎 Latin America: The Passion of “Pero”
If you travel through Latin America, you’ll hear “pero” in countless ways — sometimes to argue, sometimes to express affection.
- Mexico: Sí, pero no. (Yes, but no.) — used humorously to mean “I’m not sure.”
- Argentina: ¡Pero claro! (But of course!) — adds energy and certainty.
- Colombia: Pero mira tú. (But look at you.) — warm and playful.
- Chile: Pero oye. (But hey.) — attention-getting, friendly tone.
- Cuba: Pero bueno. (But well…) — a gentle conversational pause.
Cultural Insight:
Latin American Spanish gives “pero” musicality. It’s not just grammar — it’s rhythm, emotion, and charm.
🌏 How to Say “But” in Asian Languages
Asia has fascinating variations of “but,” often linked to politeness and tone:
- Arabic — Lakin (لكن): Softens contrasts; often paired with respect phrases.
- Hindi — Lekin (लेकिन): Expresses opposition but in a softer, emotional way.
- Chinese — Dànshì (但是): Used more formally; tone shifts the meaning.
- Japanese — Demo (でも): Common in casual speech; can mean “but” or “however.”
- Korean — Geureonde (그런데): Often translates as “but” or “by the way,” blending nuance and flow.
- Turkish — Ama: Gentle, friendly word for “but,” often softening disagreement.
These languages use “but” not to oppose, but to maintain harmony — a cultural reflection of empathy and respect.
🌍 African Languages: Balance Through Words
Across Africa, words for “but” often appear in storytelling, reflecting oral traditions:
- Swahili — Lakini: Used to bridge contrasting ideas in conversation.
- Zulu — Kodwa: Adds emphasis, often used emotionally.
- Yoruba — Ṣùgbọ́n: Indicates strong opposition or contrast.
- Amharic — Gin: Means “but” or “however,” signaling reflection.
- Hausa — Amma: Expresses contrast while keeping politeness.
- Shona — Asi: Simple “but,” frequently used in storytelling.
African greetings and connectives like “but” reflect balance — a way of showing thoughtfulness before disagreement.
🌺 Indigenous & Island Languages: Words of Harmony
Even in smaller linguistic communities, contrast words carry emotional depth:
- Hawaiian — Akā: Means “but,” used gently in speech.
- Maori — Engari: Expresses polite contradiction or explanation.
- Cherokee — Ahlanigi: Used to shift conversation meaningfully.
- Samoan — A e: Means “but/yet,” linking contrasting thoughts.
- Fijian — Ia: Used in narratives to show transition.
Here, “but” connects — not divides — thought and feeling.
💬 Cultural Insights: The Meaning Behind “But”
The Spanish “pero” and “sino” reveal how deeply culture shapes language.
Where English focuses on logic, Spanish adds emotion.
Where German asserts, Spanish sings.
In Spanish, “pero” often softens truth. It’s empathy in a word — a bridge between honesty and kindness.
🌸 Proverbs & Sayings About Contrast
- Spanish: “No todo lo que brilla es oro, pero todo enseña.” — “Not all that glitters is gold, but everything teaches.”
- Italian: “Ma chi dorme non piglia pesci.” — “But he who sleeps catches no fish.”
- French: “Mais la vie continue.” — “But life goes on.”
- Turkish: “Her şey biter, ama umut kalır.” — “Everything ends, but hope remains.”
- English: “Better late, but better.”
Every culture teaches balance — through “but,” we learn resilience.
❓ FAQs
Q1: How do you say “but” in Spanish?
You say “but” as “pero” or “sino” depending on the sentence.
Q2: What’s the difference between “pero” and “sino”?
- Pero contrasts two ideas.
- Sino corrects a negative statement.
Q3: How do you pronounce “pero”?
It’s pronounced PEH-roh — roll the “r” slightly.
Q4: What does “pero” mean beyond grammar?
It can express emotion, surprise, or affection in speech.
Q5: Why is understanding “pero” important?
Because it helps learners speak naturally and emotionally in Spanish — just like natives.
❤️ Conclusion: A Small Word with a Big Heart
Learning how to say “but” in Spanish isn’t just about vocabulary — it’s about emotion, empathy, and connection.
“Pero” reminds us that contrast doesn’t mean conflict — it’s a bridge between two truths.
Just as Spanish itself dances between passion and clarity, so does this simple word.
💬 Now it’s your turn:
Try writing a sentence with “pero” or “sino” in the comments below — and see how this tiny word transforms your thoughts into heartfelt Spanish! 🇪🇸
