4 Most Used CONJUNCTIONS in Spanish

Claudio
Jan 23, 2024
2 min read

Updated: Sep 6

How to correctly connect words, phrases, and clauses using Y, O, PERO, and NI in Spanish.

Man guessing how to use conjunctions in Spanish

In Spanish, “Y”, “O”, “PERO”, and “NI” are conjunctions used to connect words, phrases, or clauses…, always within a specific context:

Y (and)

Connects words, phrases, or clauses to express addition or continuation.

- Juan y María son amigos.

- Juan and María are friends.

O (or)

Presents an alternative or indicates a choice between options.

- ¿Quieres café o té?

- Do you want coffee or tea?

PERO (but)

Contrasts or introduces a contradiction between two ideas.

- Me gusta estudiar, pero no tengo tiempo.

- I like to study, but I don't have time.

NI (neither... nor)

Connects elements in a negative context, indicating that none of the options or conditions mentioned is true.

- No me gusta ni el fútbol ni el baloncesto.

- I don't like neither soccer nor basketball.

To use them correctly, consider the context of your sentence and choose the appropriate conjunction to convey the intended meaning.

Also, as a phonetic exception, keep in mind that the choice between “O” and “U”, and between “Y” and “E” depends on the sound that follows…

For example, instead of “O”, you should use “U” before words that begin with an “O sound”; and instead of “Y”, you should use “E” before words that begin with a “Y / I sound”:

- Independencia y Libertad

but…

- Libertad e Independencia

- Orgullo o Inteligencia Emotiva

but…

- Inteligencia Emotiva u Orgullo

I hope this will be useful for you, as well as for other people reading this blog 🙂

Qué tengas un día maravilloso!

Claudio

Fluency is built → One conversation at a time.

Join us LIVE, take a breath, and say the first sentence. The rest will follow.
I’m here to guide you.

Join via ElayaaPREMIUM

All LIVE Spanish classes - Group & 1:1 - are part of ElayaaPREMIUM (no separate fee).

Claudio

Teacher & Coach

Native Speaker:

✔

Experience:

10+

years

I know how important is to learn a language fast. In my experience I have worked with companies like Google, Ebay, PayPal and many others. I've been an examiner for a well-known Spanish language certification, and I've helped hundreds of people to speak Spanish and achieve their life goals.

Now I want to help you too! 🌱

Areas of Expertise:

Spanish Teaching

Conversation, General Spanish, Spanish for Tourism and Business, University Exams, DELE.

Business Communication

Public Speaking, Marketing & Advertising, Sales, Project Management, HR.

Transformational Coaching & Hypnotherapy

Facilitating growth and achieving goals while promoting inner healing through the subconscious mind, for a rapid and lasting self-empowerment.

Belief System Restructuring

Identifying and redefining limiting beliefs to transform self-image and core identity, eliminate blocks to true potential, and facilitate emotional healing.

Elayaa is the sum of my personal skills with the technology, vision, and creativity that our whole team has created. As a matter of fact, with ElayaaPREMIUM, you can master Spanish in any field that matters to you and beyond (for real, not the "illusion" of knowing).

Plus... as you go through the program itself and the LIVE classes in the Personal Growth category, you'll naturally expand and empower the core idea that you have of yourself → for a unique, combined outcome that will benefit you on almost every area of your life. Enjoy the process!