Conjunctions in Spanish

Have you ever wondered what the words that join sentences in Spanish are called? In this donQuijote article we bring you the answer: conjunctions. These words are essential to improve your level and sound like a native speaker.

So, if you are already living your adventure of learning Spanish in Spain and you want to give a more natural touch to your communication with the locals, conjunctions will be your best ally. Find out everything you need to know about conjunctions with us.

You can also read this article in Spanish, French, Italian or Dutch. 

What is a Spanish conjunction?

Conjunctions in Spanish are invariable words that serve to link phrases, words or groups of words within the same sentence. Thus, they establish grammatical and meaningful relationships between them.

The main function of a conjunction in Spanish is to connect the elements in a coherent and fluid way, so they are essential for the structure of the language and the clarity of the message.

Types of conjunctions

Below, you will find the different types of conjunctions in Spanish and several practical examples so that you can understand how they work and be able to use them in your daily life.

Coordinating conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions (conjunciones coordinantes) join elements that have the same grammatical function within a sentence. They do not establish a relationship of dependency, but of equality. Within coordinating conjunctions there are several subtypes:

1. Copulativas (copulative): they indicate addition between the joined elements. The main ones are: y, e, ni.

Examples:

• Pedro y Ana fueron al parque (Pedro and Ana went to the park)
• No estudió ni trabajó ese día (He did not study or work that day)
• María e Isabel son amigas (Maria and Isabel are friends)
• Juan y María prepararon la cena juntos (Juan and María prepared dinner together)

2. Disyuntivas (disjunctive): they express alternatives or options between the elements. They are: o, u.

Examples:

• ¿Prefieres té o café? (Do you prefer tea or coffee?)
• Debemos ir rápido o perderemos el tren (We must go fast, or we will miss the train)
• ¿Quieres estudiar español u otro idioma? (Do you want to study Spanish or another language?)
• ¿Estudias o trabajas? (Do you study or work?)

3. Adversativas (adversatives): they indicate opposition or contrast between elements. You’ll find in this category: pero, mas, sino, sin embargo, no obstante.

Examples:

• Quiero ayudarte, pero no tengo tiempo (I want to help you, but I don't have time)
• No lo hizo él, sino su hermano (He didn't do it, but his brother did)
• Mejoró mucho, mas sigue débil (He improved a lot, but is still weak)
• Estamos compenetrados, sin embargo, no siempre acertamos (We understand each other; however, we don't always get it right)
• Quiero salir, pero está lloviendo (I want to go out, but it's raining)

4. Distributivas (distributive): they express an alternation between actions or concepts. The main ones: ya... ya, bien... bien... bien, unos…otros.

Examples:

• Ya ríes, ya lloras con esa película (You already laugh and cry with this movie)
• Puedes elegir bien el lunes o bien el viernes (You can choose either Monday or Friday)
• Unos prefieren la playa, otros la montaña (Some prefer the beach, others the mountains)

Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions (conjunciones subordinadas) join two parts of a sentence, establishing a dependency relationship. We differentiate the following types:

1. Casuales (causal): they indicate the cause or reason for what is expressed in the main sentence. They are: porque, pues, pues que, puesto que.

Examples:

• No salí porque estaba lloviendo (I did not go out because it was raining)
• Debes descansar, ya que mañana será un día largo (You should rest, because tomorrow will be a long day)
• Pon la mesa porque ya vienen tus tíos (Set the table because your aunt and uncle are coming)
• No pude asistir a la cena puesto que tenía otro compromiso (I could not attend the dinner since I had another commitment)

2. Consecutivas (consecutives): they express the consequence of what was mentioned in the main sentence. The main ones: por lo tanto, por consiguiente, así que.

Examples:

• Estudió mucho, por lo tanto, aprobó el examen (She studied hard; therefore, she passed the exam)
• Hace frío, así que ponte un abrigo (It is cold, so put on a coat)
• El proyecto fue un éxito, por consiguiente, recibimos muchas felicitaciones (The project was a success; consequently, we received many congratulations)

3. Condicionales (conditionals): they introduce a condition necessary for what is said in the main sentence to be fulfilled. They are: si, a menos que, con tal que, siempre que.

Examples:

• Iremos al parque si deja de llover (We will go to the park if it stops raining)
• No te ayudaré a menos que me hagas caso (I won't help you unless you listen to me)
• Te prestaré mi coche con tal que lo devuelvas como estaba (I will lend you my car as long as you return it as it was)

4. Finales (endings): indicate the purpose or aim of what is expressed in the main sentence. The main ones are: para que, a fin de que, con el objetivo de que.

Examples:

• Trabajo para que tú puedas estudiar (I work so that you can study)
• Lo explicó con el objetivo de que todos lo entendieran (He explained it so that everyone would understand)

5. Temporales (temporal): they point out a temporal relationship between sentences. Main: cuando, mientras, antes de que, después de que.

Examples:

• Llegaré cuando termine de trabajar (I will arrive when I finish work)
• Antes de que se vaya, hablaremos con ella (Before she leaves, we will talk to her)

6. Concesivas (concessives): express an objection or difficulty that does not prevent the realization of what is said in the main sentence. Principals: aunque, a pesar de que, por más que.

Examples:

• Aunque estaba cansado, siguió trabajando (Although he was tired, he continued working)
• Por más que insistas, no cambiaré de opinión (No matter how much you insist, I will not change my mind)

7. Comparativas (comparatives): establish a comparison between two ideas. They are: como, igual que, más que, menos que.

Examples:

• Es tan fuerte como un roble (She is as strong as an oak tree)
• Ella corre más rápido que su hermano (She runs faster than her brother)

These are some of the most common conjunctions in Spanish used in everyday life. Do you still have doubts? It's very simple! Sign up for an intensive Spanish course and our teachers will explain and solve all your doubts about Spanish conjunctions or grammar.