/ˈpeɾo/
Translation
but, however
Word origin
From Latin per hoc ('by this, for this reason'), which developed an adversative sense in Spanish.
- Origin
- Latin
- Root
- per hoc
Examples
, .
I want to go to the concert, but I have to work.
.
It is small but very fast.
, .
I tried, but I did not manage it.
, .
He is tired, but he wants to finish the book tonight.
, .
The coffee was cold, but I drank it anyway.
Pero is the most common adversative conjunction in Spanish, used to introduce a contrasting idea that does not negate the first clause. It functions similarly to English "but" and can join clauses of any length and register.
The key pitfall is confusing pero with sino, which is used after a negative clause to introduce a correction or replacement. "No es azul pero verde" is wrong - the correct form is "No es azul sino verde" (It is not blue but green). Use pero when the first clause is affirmative or when you are adding a contrasting observation rather than correcting a falsehood.
Where this fits
Used in
Stories
(45)¿Vienes o no?
1 min read · Core 1000
El camino a casa
2 min read · Core 1000
Lo mismo de siempre
2 min read · Core 1000
Pedro conoce a alguien
2 min read · Core 5000
Un día con María
2 min read · Core 1000
A Paula le duele todo
3 min read · Core 5000
Alguien que lo haya visto
3 min read · Core 5000
Casi no llega
3 min read · Core 1000
Cuando llegué, ya había pasado
3 min read · Core 5000
Cuanto más espero, peor
3 min read · Core 5000
La conductora de la ambulancia
3 min read · Core 5000
El correo a la jefa
3 min read · Core 5000
El mejor café de la calle
3 min read · Core 5000
El nuevo doctor de Paula
3 min read · Core 1000
El perro del barrio
3 min read · Core 5000
El primer día de trabajo
3 min read · Core 1000
El trabajo de Pedro
3 min read · Core 1000
El vecino nuevo
3 min read · Core 1000
Es importante que descanses
3 min read · Core 5000
Espero que vengáis
3 min read · Core 5000
La aventura de Sofía
3 min read · Core 5000
La fábrica de madera
3 min read · Core 5000
La fiesta sorpresa
3 min read · Core 1000
La habitación libre
3 min read · Core 5000
La nota de Rafa
3 min read · Core 5000
Laura busca piso
3 min read · Core 5000
Lleva toda la mañana
3 min read · Core 5000
Lo que de verdad importa
3 min read · Core 5000
Lo que dijo el médico
3 min read · Core 5000
María lleva una hora esperando
3 min read · Core 5000
Más vale tarde que nunca
3 min read · Core 5000
Media docena de huevos
3 min read · Core 5000
Menudo desastre
3 min read · Core 5000
No creo que sea grave
3 min read · Core 5000
No estoy embarazada
3 min read · Core 5000
Pasen y siéntense
3 min read · Core 5000
Por lo tanto, decidimos
3 min read · Core 5000
Por todas partes
3 min read · Core 5000
Se vende la camioneta
3 min read · Core 5000
Tú y tu hermano
3 min read · Core 5000
Una organización imposible
3 min read · Core 5000
Una tarde de lluvia
3 min read · Core 1000
El primer día de Laura
4 min read · Core 1000
Los puestos del sábado
4 min read · Core 1000
Palabras de cocina
5 min read · Core 1000
Grammar articles
(18)Spanish Advanced Grammar (C1-C2): The Constructions That Sound Native
Spanish Adverbs of Place, Time and Degree (aquí, todavía, muy vs mucho)
Spanish Adverbs in -mente: How to Build Them and When to Avoid Them
How to Say However, Even Though and Despite in Spanish: sin embargo, aunque, a pesar de
The Spanish Diacritic Accent: tú vs tu, sí vs si, qué vs que
Gustar and Verbs Like It: Why Spanish Says the Coffee Pleases You
Spanish Fixed Similes: dormir como un tronco, más bueno que el pan, terco como una mula
Spanish Indefinites: alguno, ninguno, alguien, nadie, algo, nada, cualquiera
Advanced Spanish Negation: ni, sino vs pero, tampoco, ni siquiera
The Spanish Pluperfect (había hablado)
Spanish Politeness: Softening Requests (¿Podría...?, ¿Te importaría...?, quisiera)
Preterite vs Imperfect: How to Choose Between the Two Spanish Past Tenses
Spanish Quantifiers: mucho, poco, demasiado, todo, cada (mucha gente vs trabaja mucho)
Spanish Reciprocal Verbs (se quieren, nos ayudamos - each other)
Spanish Set Phrases with tener, dar, hacer, echar (tener ganas, echar de menos, hacer falta)
Spanish Spelling Traps: b vs v, g vs j, silent h (tubo vs tuvo, gente vs jefe)
Spanish Subject Pronouns: yo, tú, él and Why You Usually Leave Them Out
Verbs of Becoming in Spanish: ponerse, hacerse, volverse, convertirse en, llegar a ser
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Free printable study downloads for the Spanish word "pero" (but, however): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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