What is the difference between "sino" and "pero" in Spanish?

Question

I'm learning spanish, and this is currently confusing me.
Can you give me the context within each word would be used?

This is the example given in my book.

Mi vecino no es medico. Es arquitecto.
Mi vecino no es medico, sino arquitecto.

I'm confused.

Answer 1

Both are translated into English as "but," but they're used in different contexts. "Sino" (not "si no" as some others said but one word, "sino," just like you had it) is often used when the first part of the sentence is negative and it indicates a contrast between two things.

Mi vecino no es medico sino arquitecto.

You can usually translate "sino" as "but rather": My neighbor isn't a medic but rather an architect.
You wouldn't say in English "My neighbor isn't a medic but an architect" and likewise you wouldn't say in Spanish "Mi vecino no es medico pero arquitecto." In English, the "but rather" part is what indicates a contrast and makes that sentence sound okay; in Spanish, it's "sino."

Answer 2

Sino In Spanish

Answer 3

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You know...people love an accent. Any accent. It's exotic, and romantic. Quit worrying too much, but here you go: The problem is that you are trying to read the letters as YOU pronounce them, and they are very similar in some places. In English, for a B, you put your lips together, and stop the air. It's called a "bilabial stop". It's almost like a P, except that the p has a puff of air, too. For a V, you put your top teeth on your bottom lip, and let a little air out...it's called a "vocalized labiodental fricative". It's closer to an F. which allows more air through. You'll be understood, most of the time, but you might have to spell once in a while. It's okay, we have to do so as well. There are many homonyms in English...there, their, they're, etc. And sometimes people have to spell to clarify. No biggie. We'll like you anyway.

Answer 4

Simply put, "pero" means but, and "sino" means but rather.
Some examples will probably help.

Use "pero"to show a simple contrast.

Ella quiere comprarlo, pero no tiene suficiente dinero.
She wants to buy it, but she doesn't have enough money.

No soy alto, pero juego al baloncesto bien.
I'm not tall, but I play basketball well.

Use "sino" to show that the second part of the sentence is true, but the first part is false.

No quiero ir a México, sino a España.
I don't want to go to Mexico, but rather Spain.

El señor García no está enojado, sino triste.
Mr. Garcia isn't angry, but rather sad.

A Tip: if the first part of the sentence is negative, then you USUALLY use 'sino' to show a direct contrast in the second part of the sentence.

Hope this helps.

Answer 5

In the examples you gave, sino means only. Pero normally means "but." Feel free to contact me.

Answer 6

sino could be used as if "si no lo piensas" (if you are not thinking) pero is but ...and together it's "but, if" "pero, sino"

Here are the examples you gave in your question:
Mi vecino no es medico. Es arquitecto. = My neighbor is not a doctor. He is an architect.
Mi vecino no es medico, sino arquitecto. = My neighbor is not a doctor but an architect.


Cat from Barcelona, Spain

Answer 7

sino = if
pero = but

Answer 8

"if not" is a literal translation of "si no" but it's not accurate in this case.
"si no" is "but" in the context of the example you posted.
"My neighbor is not a doctor but an architect"
In Spanish we don't use "pero" in that context.

And, yes, it's similar but different. I had the same problem with "however" and "though" because we have only one expression ("sin embargo").

Answer 9

I don't know which idiots have given Jenny and Tenpen 'thumbs down' signs - they have both given a good introductory usage of 'sino.' Ellos no son inteligentes, sino tontos . . .

Answer 10

pero is but

and si no

is like....if not

voy a la casa de mi amiga, si no, a la casa de mi novia
im going to my friends house if not, to my girlfriends
pero prefiero ir a la playa
but i prefer to go to the beach