A conjunction is a part of speech that joins two separate ideas. I like to tell my students they are similar to a bridge between words, phrases, or clauses. Sometimes the bridge adds information, gives alternatives, or contrasts ideas. In Spanish, conjunctions come in TWO different types, depending on the “value” of the ideas being joined or connected.
Coordinating — y meaning and, o meaning or, pero meaning but...
Subordinating — como meaning like, con tal que meaning as long as, apesar de meaning in spite of...
Ready to embark on this lesson about conjunctions in Spanish? Let’s go!
For a review of grammar terms used in the post, make sure to check out the Unpacking the Grammar section at the end.
What are coordinating conjunctions?
Coordinating conjunctions join words or clauses of similar value. They connect words of the same class, such as apples and oranges (both nouns and fruits!). For example: Me gustan las matemáticas y la ciencia. meaning I like math and science. Coordinating conjunctions can be used to introduce more information, alternatives, or to contrast two ideas. Coordinating conjunctions in Spanish are:
- y meaning and
→The conjunction y meaning and adds information!
A mí me gustan las manzanas y las peras.Translation: I like apples and pears.Quiero conocer Francia e Irlanda.Translation: I want to visit France and Ireland.→ It’s replaced by e meaning and when he word after the conjunction starts with an “i” sound (including words that start with “hi” (historia meaning history).
Estudio geografía e historia.Translation: I study geography and history. ni meaning nor, not even and ni...ni meaning neither...nor
→This conjunction is used as the negative form of y meaning and, therefore it will be found in a negative sentence.
No tengo ni tiempo ni ganas de ir al gimnasio hoy.Translation: I don’t have neither time nor desire to go to the gym today.⤷TIP Colloquially, the first ni tends to be omitted.
No compré ni un calcetín porque no tengo dinero.Translation: I didn’t even buy a sock because I don’t have money.⤷TIP Notice that this ni means "not even" which is a shortened version of ni siquiera meaning not even. Colloquially, siquiera meaning even tends to be dropped!
→It can also be combined after the preposition sin meaning without.
No te enojes, pero fui al mercado sin ti ni mamá.Translation: Don’t get mad, but I went to the market without you and Mom.- o meaning or
→This conjunction gives an alternative. It provides a choice in which only one possibility can be realized.
Ernesto va a estudiar ciencias o leyes.Translation: Ernesto is going to study science or law.¿Quieres este suéter u otro más oscuro?Translation: Do you want this sweater or another one that is darker?→ it’s replaced by u meaning or when the word after the conjunction starts with an "o" sound (including words that start with "ho," horno meaning oven
- pero meaning but
This conjunction contrasts an idea. It shows opposition to the previous statement, but both statements can be true.
Mi mejor amiga es muy callada pero súper inteligente.Translation: My best friend is very quiet but super smart. - masTranslation: but
mas is similar in value to pero meaning but, however it's not very common. It’s considered formal and can be found in literature more often than in spoken Spanish.
Estela quiere venir a la fiesta, mas no tiene tiempo.Translation: Estela wants to come to the party, but does not have the time. - sinoTranslation: but rather
This conjunction contradicts a previous statement which appears with negation no. When used in front of a conjugated verb, one must use sino que instead.
Ella no es de Panamá sino de Colombia.Translation: She isn’t from Panama but from Colombia.Yo no pedí café sino que pedí agua porque tenía mucha sed.Translation: I did not order coffee but rather water because I was very thirsty. - que meaning because
Que as a coordinating conjunction is used to connect two sentences. It’s used colloquially to introduce a consequence.
No comas tanto que te vas a enfermar.Translation: Don’t eat so much because you will get sick!
What are subordinating conjunctions?
Subordinating conjunctions join items of different hierarchies based on different functions. The format of sentences using subordinating conjunctions both in Spanish and English is as follows:
independent/main clause + subordinating conjunction + dependent/subordinate clause
I will go to the party as long as you attend with me.
My best friend likes to dance more than me.
Tell us what you heard before the boss comes back.
Dependent or subordinate clauses can’t stand on their own. They must be attached to an independent clause via a subordinating conjunction. Let’s see which words those are!
The conjunction que meaning that is the most used subordinating conjunction, and it’s used to introduce a subordinate clause like the English conjunction “that.” However, in Spanish, this conjunction cannot be omitted.
Pienso que Ernesto va a llegar un poco tarde por causa del tráfico.Translation: I think (that) Ernesto is going to be late due to traffic.It is a complementizer conjunction and mostly used in these scenarios:
To add a complement to a verb (typically followed by the subjunctive).
Espero que puedas venir. meaning I hope (that) you can come.Indirect speech
Dijo que no quiere ir. meaning He said (that) he doesn’t want to go.Indirect commands
Me pidió que trajera más platos. meaning She asked me to bring more plates.
Que meaning that can also be combined with other words to create more precise conjunctions, as you will see in the following sections. We will briefly review the conjunctions that require the subjunctive. However, if you want more information on how to use conjunctions with the subjunctive or indicative, check out "How to use the Spanish subjunctive with conjunctions?"
Conjunctions of cause
These conjunctions introduce the cause or reason of something presented in the independent clause.
- porque meaning because
- dado que meaning given that
- puesto que meaning because, since
- ya que meaning since
- pues meaning so, because, since
- como meaning since
Example:
Voy a comer unas papitas porque tengo hambre.Translation: I am going to eat some chips because I am hungry.Conjunctions of comparison
The conjunction introduces a comparison between one clause and the other.
- más que meaning more than
- menos que meaning less than
- igual que meaning same as
- como meaning like, as
Example:
Mi perro pesa más que el perrito de mi mejor amiga.Translation: My dog weighs more than my best friend’s dog.Conjunctions of condition
The conjunction introduces something that could happen if something else happens as well.
- si meaning if
- como meaning if
- con tal que meaning as long as
- siempre que / siempre y cuando meaning as long as
- a condición de que meaning on the condition that
- a pesar de que meaning in spite of, even though
- a menos que meaning unless
- a no ser que meaning unless
- mientras meaning as long as
Examples:
Te pagaré si completas el trabajo a tiempo.Translation: I will pay you if you complete the work on time.Visitaré Holanda con tal que me den tiempo libre en el verano.Translation: I will visit the Netherlands as long as they give me time off in the summer.Consecutive conjunctions
The content of the subordinate clause is a result or consequence from something in the main clause.
- así que meaning therefore, so
- de manera/modo/forma que meaning such that, so that
- tanto que meaning so much that
Example:
Ella entregó su proyecto a tiempo así que ahora tiene la oportunidad de recibir crédito extra en el curso.Translation: She turned in her project on time, therefore she now has the opportunity of receiving extra credit in the course.Consecutive conjunctions
The content of the subordinate clause is a result or consequence from something in the main clause.
- así que meaning therefore, so
- de manera/modo/forma que meaning such that, so that
- tanto que meaning so much that
Example:
Ella entregó su proyecto a tiempo así que ahora tiene la oportunidad de recibir crédito extra en el curso.Translation: She turned in her project on time, therefore she now has the opportunity of receiving extra credit in the course.Temporal conjunctions
They express a time relationship between the main clause and the dependent clause (“before,” “after,” “at the same time,” etc.)
- antes (de) que meaning before
- después que meaning after
- luego de que meaning after
- mientras meaning while
- every time that meaning before
- apenas meaning as soon as
- cuando meaning when
- desde que meaning since
- en cuanto meaning as soon as
- hasta que meaning until
Example:
Quiero volver al centro comercial antes que expiren los cupones de mi tienda favorita.Translation: I want to return to the mall before the coupons for my favorite store expire.Final conjunctions
They express the finality or purpose of the main clause.
- para que meaning in order that
- con el fin de que meaning with the goal of
- con vista a meaning with aim to
- de manera/modo/forma que meaning so that
Example:
Mi papá trabajó días largos para que tuviéramos todo lo que quisiéramos.Translation: My dad worked long days to give us everything we wanted.Conjunctions of concession
They are used to express an objection to the main clause, but the action is not impossible.
- si bien meaning while, even though
- aun cuando meaning even when
- aunque meaning although
Example:
Deseo ir a la Ciudad de México aunque no tengo dinero.Translation: I wish to go to Mexico City although I don’t have money.
For a summary of conjunctions that work with the subjunctive, we have prepared this list of Spanish conjunctions for you!
To sum it up
Conjunctions are words used to “bridge” words or clauses. In Spanish we have two types of conjunctions: coordinating and subordinating.
Coordinating conjunctions add information, contrast information, or give alternatives
Subordinating conjunctions are used to express finality, concession, establish temporal relationships, express consequences, or comparisons.
Do you want to practice using conjunctions in Spanish? Here is a practice activity I have created for you!
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