Conjunction · B1 · Spanish glossary

Sino: but rather

sino

Pronunciation: SEE-noh (stress the capital letters)

Sino means “but rather” in English.

Quick answer

Meaning: but rather
How to say it: SEE-noh
Level: Intermediate (B1)

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What “sino” means and how to use it

Sino means “but rather.” It follows a negative to correct or contrast information.

Examples with audio

No quiero café, sino té.I do not want coffee, but rather tea.
No es mi hermano, sino mi primo.He is not my brother, but my cousin.
No solo estudio, sino también trabajo.I do not only study, but I also work.

Usage tip

Use sino after a negative to replace one idea with another. If there is no negative, use pero. Compare: “es caro, pero bueno” (it is expensive, but good).

Frequently asked questions

How do you say “but rather” in Spanish?

“but rather” in Spanish is “sino.” It is pronounced SEE-noh, with the stress on the syllable in capital letters.

How do you pronounce “sino”?

Say SEE-noh. The syllable in capital letters gets the stress. Press the speaker button at the top of this page to hear it.

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