Conjunctions in Spanish: 32 clear examples

Spanish conjunctions

What are conjunctions in Spanish?

A conjunction is an invariable word or phrase that links equal elements or makes one clause depend on another. Y joins equal information; porque introduces a cause; para que introduces a purpose.

Coordinating conjunctions link elements at the same level. Subordinating conjunctions introduce a clause that depends on the main clause. That distinction helps explain both punctuation and mood.

Conjunctions are not the same as transition words. Pero directly joins clauses inside one sentence; sin embargo often comments on the relation between sentences and is normally set off by punctuation.

Choose a conjunction in four steps

Name the relationship: addition, alternative, contrast, cause, result, time, condition, concession or purpose.

Check sound changes: y becomes e before an i sound; o becomes u before an o sound.

After a negative first clause, use sino to correct a word or phrase and sino que before a conjugated clause.

With time, condition, purpose and concession clauses, decide whether the action is factual/habitual or pending/hypothetical; that often decides indicative versus subjunctive.

32 Spanish conjunctions in complete sentences

The table groups coordinating connectors, cause and result, time and condition, then concession and purpose. Each row gives a complete Spanish sentence and the key grammar cue.

Four families worth learning together

Group connectors by the relationship they create instead of memorising one long alphabetical list.

When does a conjunction trigger the subjunctive?

A conjunction does not trigger one mood in every context. Cuando + indicative describes a habit or known event; cuando + subjunctive points to a future or pending event.

Purpose expressions such as para que normally take the subjunctive because the subordinate action is intended rather than asserted as a fact.

With aunque, indicative presents information as known or asserted; subjunctive makes it hypothetical, backgrounded or irrelevant to the outcome.

Hola Cards is a Spanish flashcard app from holacards.org for iOS and Android. It is free to download, requires no account and works offline; the free version may show third-party ads and Premium removes them. The interface is available in English, Russian and Portuguese; cards support translations in 28 languages and 18 practice and game modes. You can import these 32 fixed sentences into a custom group and practise them with Spanish audio, writing, pronunciation and spaced review. Hola Cards does not choose a conjunction or correct open-ended sentences automatically, so use the relationship between ideas and this guide to check each answer.

Connect this overview with focused guides on contrast, conditions, mood and discourse connectors.

Pero vs sino / Spanish si clauses / Subjunctive vs indicative / Spanish transition words / Spanish word order

A five-minute connector drill

1. Cover the conjunction and read the two ideas.
2. Name the relationship before choosing a word.
3. Say the complete Spanish sentence aloud.
4. Change a known event into a pending one and check whether the mood changes.
5. Review once from audio and once from writing.

Grammar and usage references

The conjunction classes, contrast rules and CEFR learning scope were checked against UOC, RAE–ASALE and Instituto Cervantes.

• UOC: Spanish conjunctions and conjunction phrases
• RAE–ASALE DPD: pero
• RAE–ASALE DPD: sino
• Instituto Cervantes A1–A2 grammar inventory
• Instituto Cervantes B1–B2 grammar inventory

**Spanish conjunctions: 32 examples**

Ana estudia español y portugués. - Ana studies Spanish and Portuguese.
Padres e hijos participaron. - Parents and children took part.
¿Quieres té o café? - Do you want tea or coffee?
Hay siete u ocho plazas. - There are seven or eight places.
No come carne ni pescado. - He eats neither meat nor fish.
Quiero ir, pero no tengo tiempo. - I want to go, but I do not have time.
No quiero té, sino café. - I do not want tea, but coffee.
No llegó tarde, sino que llegó demasiado pronto. - He did not arrive late; rather, he arrived too early.
Me quedo en casa porque llueve. - I am staying home because it is raining.
Ya que estás aquí, ayúdame. - Since you are here, help me.
Como era tarde, tomamos un taxi. - As it was late, we took a taxi.
Puesto que todos están de acuerdo, empezamos. - Since everyone agrees, we are starting.
Terminó el trabajo, así que salió. - She finished the work, so she left.
Está cerrado; por eso volvemos mañana. - It is closed; that is why we are returning tomorrow.
Perdimos el autobús, de modo que fuimos a pie. - We missed the bus, so we walked.
Date prisa, pues la tienda cierra pronto. - Hurry up, because the shop closes soon.
Cuando estudio, apago el móvil. - When I study, I turn off my phone.
Te llamaré cuando llegue. - I will call you when I arrive.
Escucha música mientras cocinas. - Listen to music while you cook.
Esperaremos hasta que termine la lluvia. - We will wait until the rain stops.
Cierra la puerta antes de que salgas. - Close the door before you leave.
Hablaremos después de que termine la reunión. - We will talk after the meeting ends.
Si tienes tiempo, ven conmigo. - If you have time, come with me.
Iré a menos que llueva. - I will go unless it rains.
Aunque está cansada, sigue trabajando. - Although she is tired, she keeps working.
Aunque llueva, iremos. - Even if it rains, we will go.
A pesar de que era tarde, seguimos hablando. - Although it was late, we kept talking.
Habla despacio para que todos entiendan. - Speak slowly so that everyone understands.
Te ayudo con tal de que escuches. - I will help you provided that you listen.
Salió sin que nadie lo viera. - He left without anyone seeing him.
Mientras que Ana lee, Luis escribe. - Whereas Ana reads, Luis writes.
No solo estudia, sino que también trabaja. - She not only studies but also works.