spanish connectors for essays

51 Spanish Phrases for Essays to Impress with Words

• January 7, 2021

Joanna Lupa

Communicating in a foreign language is hard enough, even in everyday situations, when no sophisticated or academic vocabulary is needed. 

Being able to write an actual essay in Spanish requires you not only to have a solid grammar base but also be knowledgeable about specific phrases and words typically used in school and university writing. 

For those of you who study in one of the Spanish speaking countries or are toying with the idea of signing up for an exchange program, I have prepared a summary of useful Spanish phrases for essays. They are divided into the following categories:

• Connectors (sequence, contrast, cause and effect, additional information, and conclusion)
• Expressions to give your opinion, agree and disagree with a thesis
• fancy academic expressions

Spanish Connectors to Use in Essays

Written language tends to be more formal than the spoken one. Ideas get explained in complex sentences showing how they relate to each other. A fantastic tool to achieve that is connectors.

What are some useful Spanish connectors for essays? Let’s have a look at the ten examples below:

• 🇪🇸 primero – 🇬🇧 first
• 🇪🇸 segundo – 🇬🇧 second
• 🇪🇸 el siguiente argumento – 🇬🇧 the next argument
• 🇪🇸 finalmente – 🇬🇧 finally, last but not least 
• 🇪🇸 sin embargo – 🇬🇧 however, nevertheless, nonetheless
• 🇪🇸 por lo tanto – 🇬🇧 therefore, thus
• 🇪🇸 además – 🇬🇧 besides
• 🇪🇸 por un lado….por el otro lado – 🇬🇧 on the one hand….on the other hand
• 🇪🇸 a menos que – 🇬🇧 unless
• 🇪🇸 a pesar de (algo) – 🇬🇧 despite / in spite of (something)
• 🇪🇸 aunque / a pesar de que – 🇬🇧 although / even though
• 🇪🇸 debido a – 🇬🇧 due to
• 🇪🇸 puesto que / dado que – 🇬🇧 given that
• 🇪🇸 ya que –  🇬🇧 since
• 🇪🇸 mientras que – 🇬🇧 whereas
• 🇪🇸 en conclusión – 🇬🇧 in conclusion
• 🇪🇸 para concluir – 🇬🇧 to conclude

Do you think you would know how to use these connectors in an essay? Let’s suppose you are writing about ecology:

🇪🇸 Los paises han estado cambiando sus politicas. Sin embargo, aún queda mucho por hacer.  🇬🇧 Countries have been changing their policies. However, there is still a lot to do. 

🇪🇸 Una de las amenazas climáticas es el efecto invernadero. Además está la contaminación del agua que presenta un serio riesgo para la salud.  🇬🇧 One of the climate threats is the greenhouse effect. Besides, there is water pollution that presents a severe health hazard. 

🇪🇸 A pesar de los acuerdos internacionales, varios países no han mejorado sus normas ambientales.  🇬🇧 Despite international agreements, many countries haven’t yet improved their environmental standards. 

🇪🇸 Debido a la restricción en el uso de bolsas de plástico desechables, Chile ha podido reducir su huella de carbono.  🇬🇧 Due to the restrictions in the use of disposable plastic bags, Chile has been able to reduce its carbon print. 

Spanish Phrases to Express Your Opinion in Essays

Essay topics commonly require you to write what you think about something. Or whether you agree or disagree with an idea, a project, or someone’s views. 

The words below will allow you to express your opinion effortlessly and go beyond the typical “creo que ” – “ I think ”:

• 🇪🇸 (yo) opino que – 🇬🇧 in my opinion
• 🇪🇸 me parece que – 🇬🇧 it seems to me
• 🇪🇸 desde mi punto de vista – 🇬🇧 from my point of view
• 🇪🇸 (no) estoy convencido que  – 🇬🇧 I am (not) convinced that
• 🇪🇸 no me cabe la menor duda – 🇬🇧 I have no doubt 
• 🇪🇸 estoy seguro que – 🇬🇧 I’m sure
• 🇪🇸 dudo que – 🇬🇧 I doubt
• 🇪🇸 sospecho que – 🇬🇧 I suspect
• 🇪🇸 asumo que – 🇬🇧 I assume
• 🇪🇸 estoy (totalmente, parcialmente) de acuerdo – 🇬🇧 I (totally, partially) agree
• 🇪🇸 no estoy de acuerdo en absoluto – 🇬🇧 I absolutely disagree
• 🇪🇸 opino diferente – 🇬🇧 I have a different opinion
• 🇪🇸 me niego a aceptar – 🇬🇧 I refuse to accept
• 🇪🇸 estoy en contra / a favor de – 🇬🇧 I am against / in favor of
• 🇪🇸 no podría estar más de acuerdo – 🇬🇧 I couldn’t agree more
• 🇪🇸 encuentro absolutamente cierto / falso  – 🇬🇧 I find it absolutely correct / false

Phrases like these can really give shape to your essay and increase its formality level. This time, let’s verify it with views on education: 

🇪🇸 Opino que estudiando remotamente los jóvenes están perdiendo las habilidades sociales.  🇬🇧 In my opinion, remote schooling makes youngsters lose their social skills. 

🇪🇸 Dudo que esta decisión traiga verdaderos cambios para el sistema educacional en mi país.  🇬🇧 I doubt this change will bring any real changes to the educational system in my country. 

🇪🇸 Estoy totalmente de acuerdo con que todos deberían tener acceso a educación de calidad. 🇬🇧 I totally agree that everyone should have access to good quality education. 

🇪🇸 Estoy en contra de escuelas solo para niñas o solo para niños.  🇬🇧 I am against girls-only or boys-only schools. 

Pay attention to certain language differences between English and Spanish versions. The most common mistake that my students make is to say “ I am agree ” ❌ (direct translation from “ Estoy de acuerdo ”) instead of “ I agree ”✔️. 

Fancy Academic Verbs and Expressions for Essays in Spanish

Would you like to impress your professor with sophisticated academic vocabulary or get extra points on your DELE? Grab a pen and take notes:

• 🇪🇸 afirmar  – 🇬🇧 to state
• 🇪🇸 refutar – 🇬🇧 to refute, to reject
• 🇪🇸 argumentar – 🇬🇧 to argue that
• 🇪🇸 poner en duda  – 🇬🇧 to cast doubt
• 🇪🇸 poner en evidencia – 🇬🇧 to shed light 
• 🇪🇸 demostrar – 🇬🇧 to demonstrate
• 🇪🇸 concentrarse en – 🇬🇧 to focus on
• 🇪🇸 sostener – 🇬🇧 to sustain
• 🇪🇸 reflejar – 🇬🇧 to reflect
• 🇪🇸 considerando (que) – 🇬🇧 considering (that)
• 🇪🇸 siendo realista – 🇬🇧 realistically speaking
• 🇪🇸 de cierto modo – 🇬🇧 in a way
• 🇪🇸 en lo que se refiere a – 🇬🇧 with regards to
• 🇪🇸 en vista de – 🇬🇧 in view of
• 🇪🇸 de acuerdo a – 🇬🇧 according to
• 🇪🇸 no obstante – 🇬🇧 nevertheless

So many great words to work with! And some of them sound really similar to English, right? This is exactly why Spanish is such a good option when you want to learn a second language.

Let’s see how to make all these verbs and phrases work:

🇪🇸 Los resultados de los nuevos estudios ponen en duda la relación entre el consumo de huevos y altos niveles de colesterol.  🇬🇧 The recent study findings cast doubt on the relation between egg consumption and high cholesterol levels. 

🇪🇸 Los autores del estudio argumentan que los azucares y los carbohidratos juegan un rol importante en este asunto.  🇬🇧 The authors of the study argue that sugars and carbs play an important role in this topic. 

🇪🇸 En lo que se refiere al consumo de carne, este influye directamente los niveles de colesterol malo, sobre todo si es carne con mucha grasa. 🇬🇧 Regarding meat consumption, it directly influences the levels of “bad” cholesterol, especially in the case of greasy meat. 

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Learn A Language Through Stories

41 Spanish Conversational Connectors For Authentic-Sounding Spanish

Early on in learning Spanish , it's not uncommon to sound stilted. A bit like a robot, even.

One solution for more fluent speech is to use Spanish conversational connectors. These small linking words like “and”, “but”, “so” can really help you level up your Spanish fast.

By the end of this post, you will:

• Know the most common Spanish conversational connectors
• Learn the types of connectors and how to recognise them in conversations
• Eliminate awkward pauses and unnaturally short, robotic sentences
• Speak Spanish more naturally with what you already know
• Never be at a loss for words again!

Sounds too good to be true, doesn't it? But it really is that easy.

By the way, if you want to learn Spanish fast (including Spanish conversational connectors!) and have fun while doing it, my top recommendation is  Spanish Uncovered  which teaches you through StoryLearning®.

With Spanish Uncovered you’ll use my unique StoryLearning® method to learn Spanish naturally through story… not rules. It’s as fun as it is effective.

If you’re ready to get started,  click here for a 7-day FREE trial .

Why Learn Spanish Conversational Connectors?

One common roadblock when you learn a language is figuring out how to go from the scripted phrases in language textbooks to fluid, authentic conversation.

Take a look at these two examples of something you might say in English:

• I live in the country. I work in the city. I commute to work every day.
• Although I live in the country, I currently work in the city. As a result, I commute to work every day.

Which example sounds more realistic?

The second one, right?

Both examples share the same information about you. But the second is much closer to something you would say or hear in a natural conversation.

Why? Thanks to something called “conversational connectors”

• Although I live in the country, I currently work in the city. As a result , I commute to work every day.

The connector words italicised above don't change the information conveyed. But they do make the conversation move along more smoothly.

You probably use conversational connectors in English without even thinking about it. Most native speakers do.

Time to learn some Spanish conversational connectors.

You can either hit play on the video below from the StoryLearning Spanish YouTube channel . Otherwise, keep scrolling to read the post and learn all the Spanish linking words you'll ever need.

Common Spanish Conversational Connectors

The Spanish conversational connectors you will hear the most are simple words that connect groups of words or phrases.

If you're familiar with grammar terminology in English, these words are known as “coordinating conjunctions”.

Simply put, coordinating conjunctions are words that join words, phrases, and clauses together.

Coordinating clauses are incredibly common in Spanish (and in English), so you probably know and use many of them already.

Check this list of the most common coordinating conjunctions in Spanish and see how many you currently use in most of your Spanish conversations:

• #2 pero (but)
• #4 ni (nor)
• #5 para (for)
• #6 por (for)
• #7 así que (so)
• #8 todavía (yet)
• #9 aún (not yet)

These coordinating conjunctions are probably the first conversational connectors you mastered in Spanish.

Instead of, Voy a comprar zapatos. Voy a comprar un vestido  (I will buy shoes. I will buy a dress), you learn to say, Voy a comprar zapatos y un vestido para la fiesta  (I will buy shoes and a dress for the party).

These basic connectors are a great starting point, but you will want to learn a larger collection of conversational connectors in order to improve your fluency and communicate more like a native Spanish speaker.

Four More Types Of Spanish Conversational Connectors

I've broken down some of the most useful Spanish conversational connectors into four categories based on when they are used.

This should make it easier for you to notice opportunities to use them in your own conversations and immediately increase the depth of your conversational skill.

1. When You're Sharing Your Opinion, Giving Justification, Or (Dis)agreeing

You can soften a disagreement or give a reason for your opinion with the following conversational connectors. The actual point of your statement doesn't change when you use them. But each one adds something to the tone of the conversation overall.

• #10 por eso (that's why)
• #11 por lo visto (apparently)
• #12 ya que (since, now that)
• #13 por consiguiente (thus, therefore)
• #14 no creo que (I don't believe that)
• #15 para mí (for me, in my opinion)
• #16 que yo sepa (as far as I know)

2. When You Want To Add To Or Contrast With An Idea

Whether you're supporting what has already been said, providing examples, or offering another point of view, these connectors can be tacked on to many sentences to sound more fluid and less robotic:

• #17 además (moreover, additionally)
• #18 de todas formas (anyway)
• #19 aparte de (besides, except for)
• #20 tal como (such as)
• #21 a pesar de (in spite of)
• #22 aunque (even though)
• #23 en vez de (instead of)
• #24 sin embargo (nevertheless)
• #25 en concreto (specifically)
• #26 en pocas palabras (in a few words)

3. When You're Talking About When Something Will (Or Did) Happen

These words and phrases connect two events and put them in relation to each other. With just a simple one- or two-word addition, your stories will feel much more natural and make more sense:

• #27 tan pronto como (as soon as)
• #28 primero que nada (first of all)
• #29 por último (finally)
• #30 mientras tanto (meanwhile)
• #31 hasta (until)
• #32 hasta que (before)

4. When You Need To Fill In A Pause

Making use of these filler words may be the biggest step you can take to sounding more fluent right away.

Where you might use “um” or “like” in English, native Spanish speakers are far more likely to use one of the following:

• #33 es decir (that is to say, in other words)
• #34 pues (since, well)
• #35 eso (that, like I said)
• #36 en fin (all in all)
• #37 o sea (in other words)
• #38 a ver (let's see)
• #39 digo (I mean, that is to say)
• #40 es que (the thing is)
• #41 bueno (well, good)

Recognising Connectors In Spanish Conversation

Once you start looking for them, you'll notice Spanish conversational connectors all throughout the authentic Spanish you hear and read every day.

Pay attention to both how the phrases are used and what they actually sound like when native speakers are using them.

Some of the expressions, like pues and bueno , are often drawn out and accompanied by pauses. Others, like primero que nada and por consiguiente are often used to make a point…and will be emphasised accordingly.

You'll soon find that just about any Spanish sentence can be enhanced and feel more natural with the inclusion of one—or more!—conversational connectors.

If you're still unsure how to fit these connectors into your conversation, write down a few phrases that you hear in your Spanish studies each day. Underline or circle the connector.

Then, see how many times you can find that same conversational connector used in a different sentence. You might be surprised at how many you find.

Putting Spanish Conversational Connectors Into Action

You might be surprised at how easy it is to make your conversations sound more natural by learning just a few new connectors.

Conversational connectors will improve your Spanish fluency and help you sound more like a native speaker fast…

…without learning any more vocabulary or complex Spanish grammar .

In fact, using more conversational connectors is an easy way to “cheat” and sound like you know more Spanish than you actually do.

Take a look at the following examples of conversational connectors in action.

You'll notice that none of these sentences are particularly complex. But they do sound completely authentic.

All thanks to the connectors.

• Ellos son de Inglaterra. ¿Así que hablan inglés?  (They are from England. So they speak English?)
• La película era popular, aunque no la mejor (The movie was popular, although not the best)
• Mi hermano no está listo todavía. ¿Qué queremos hacer mientras lo esperamos? (My brother isn't ready yet. What do we want to do while we wait for him?)
• La cosa más importante es, primero que nada, la educación  (The most important thing, first of all, is education)
• ¿Quieres ir conmigo a la playa este fin de semana? (Do you want to come to the beach with me this weekend?) Bueno…lo tengo que pensar  (Well….I have to think about it)
• Miguel fue al restaurante con Sasha—digo, con Katherine  (Miguel went to the restaurant with Sasha—I mean, with Katherine)

Say Goodbye To Robotic Spanish Conversations!

So many of the problems new Spanish learners encounter in conversations can be solved by mastering a few common connectors.

Do you have long pauses in your conversations while you try to remember how to say something specific in Spanish?

• Use a filler connector like pues or bueno instead.

Do you sometimes say the wrong thing but don't notice until it's too late?

• Digo and o sea to the rescue, allowing you to modify your meaning without having to stammer and admit to the mistake.

Have you ever wanted to contribute to a passionate discussion but felt like your short, simple sentence wouldn't be worth the effort?

• Que yo sepa and además can help you sound more informed and less stilted as you join the debate.

With just a handful of Spanish conversational connectors, you can eliminate awkward pauses and sound more like a native speaker at your current skill level now…without needing to master the rest of the language first.

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100+ Spanish Transition Words and Phrases to Sound Like a Native Speaker

Below you will find over 100 Spanish transition words and phrases to help you sound more natural both in your writing and speaking. Transitional devices or connetors as they’re also called, help connect ideas, sentences, and paragraphs smoothly so there are no abrupt breaks between thoughts. Brief explanations and example sentences are included.

Spanish Transition Words Related to Time

1. después (de) – after, afterward.

“Después (de)” can be used to connect two events expressing that something occurs after something else.

Fui a ver una película con Tom después de clases. (I went to see a movie with Tom after school.)

Mi padre salió a correr después de la cena. (My father went for a run after dinner.)

2. ya – already

“Ya” can be used for expressing that something has already occurred or has occurred in the past.

Cuando llegué, él ya se había ido. (When I arrived, he had already left.)

Ya me he disculpado. (I already apologized.)

3. siempre – always

For describing something that happens always or at any moment, use siempre.

Yo siempre desayuno a las 7 am. (I always eat breakfast at 7 am.)

Siempre está bromeando. (He is always joking.)

4. en cuanto – as soon as, when, once

The phrase “en cuanto” can mean when or “as soon as”. It can also mean “while”.

En cuanto ellos vuelvan, te llamo. (As soon as they return, I will call you.)

La reconocí en cuanto la vi. (I recognized her as soon as I saw her.)

En cuanto haga la tarea, voy a leer. (Once I do my homework, I’m going to read.)

5. tan pronto como – as soon as

“Tan pronto como” means “as soon as” or “immediately after” much like the phrase “en cuanto”.

Hazlo tan pronto como puedas. (Do it as soon as you can.)

Él comerá tan pronto como llegue a casa. (He’ll eat as soon as he gets home.)

6. al principio – at first, at the beginning

“Al principio” means “initially”, or “at the start of something.” This phrase is commonly used at the beginning of a sentence.

Al principio no le gustaba. (She didn’t like him at first.)

Al principio puede ser confuso. (It can be confusing at first.)

Al principio será duro, pero todo es duro al principio. (At the beginning it will be tough, but everything is tough at the beginning.)

7. por fin – at last, finally

For describing something that occurs after a long wait or expressing the end of a long-awaited situation with emphasis, use “por fin”.

¡Por fin! Por fin conseguí trabajo. (I finally got a job.)

El héroe por fin derrotó al científico malvado. (The hero finally defeated the evil scientist.)

8. al mismo tiempo – at the same time, simultaneously

For describing events that occur at the same time, “al mismo tiempo” can be used.

Llegamos al mismo tiempo. (We arrived at the same time.)

Al mismo tiempo, él empezó a correr. (At the same time, he began to run.)

9. a la misma vez – at the same time, simultaneously

Like “al mismo tiempo”, “a la misma vez” can be used to describe two things happening at the same time.

Mi hija estudia y ve la tele a la vez. (My daughter studies and watches TV at the same time.)

10. inmediatamente – at once, immediately, right away

“Inmediatamente” is an adverb, and it can be used to express that something happens without any interruptions.

Cuando leí la noticia, te llamé inmediatamente. (When I read the news, I called you immediately.)

11. antes de (que) – before

Don’t forget to use the Spanish present subjunctive after the phrase “antes de que”. This phrase means “before”.

Habla con tu padre antes de que se vaya. (Talk to your father before he leaves.)

12. brevemente – briefly

“Brevemente” is an adverb that can be used to express that something is done shortly.

Quiero hablar brevemente acerca de las ideas que queremos proponer. (I would like to briefly talk about the ideas that we want to propose.)

13. antes de ayer, antier – the day before yesterday

This adverb also expresses time, and it can appear at the beginning or at the end of a sentence.

Mis amigos y yo estuvimos aquí antes de ayer. (My friends and I were here the day before yesterday.)

14. durante – during

The word “during” is a Spanish preposition , and it denotes simultaneity.

Ellos escucharon la radio durante el viaje. (They listened to the radio during the trip.)

15. eventualmente – eventually

For expressing an action that occurs occasionally, use the Spanish adverb “eventualmente”.

Es probable que se produzcan cambios eventualmente en el sistema. (It is likely that changes occur eventually in the system.)

16. primero – firstly

The word “primero” is both, an adverb and an adjective. To use it as a Spanish transition word use it to describe an action that occurs firstly.

Primero nos bajamos del carro y luego entramos al edificio. (First, we will get off the car and then we will enter the building.)

17. primero que nada – first of all

Just as the word “primero”, the phrase “primero que nada” also means “firstly”, or “first of all”.

Primero que nada, terminemos el proyecto. Luego podremos descansar. (First of all, let’s finish the project. Then we can rest.)

18. frecuentemente – frequently, often

For expressing actions that occur regularly, use the Spanish adverb “frecuentemente”.

Mis hermanos y yo visitamos a nuestro abuelos frecuentemente. (My siblings and I visit our grandparents frequently.)

19. al rato – in a little while, shortly after

“Al rato” is a phrase that expresses time, and it can be used to express that something happened soon after something else.

Vino Karen y me trajo el libro al rato de haberse ido. (Karen came and brought me the book shortly after she left.)

20. en primer lugar – in the first place

“En primer lugar” and “primero” are very similar. They both mean “first” or “firstly”. “En primer lugar” though is more formal than “primero”.

En primer lugar, vamos a hablar de los problemas de esta ciudad. (Firstly, we will talk about the problems of this city.)

21. mientras tanto – in the meantime, meanwhile, until then

“Mientras tanto” is a Spanish adverbial phrase that can be used to express that an activity happens at the same time a different activity is taking place.

Yo estoy trabajando; mientras tanto, tú estás haciendo nada. (I am working. Meanwhile, you are doing nothing.)

22. en el pasado – in the past

This phrase simply means “before”. You can use it at the beginning or at the end of sentences.

Esta ciudad era más tranquila en el pasado. (This city was quieter in the past.)

23. en segundo  lugar  – in the second place, secondly

This phrase is usually used to introduce a second idea.

En primer lugar, hablaré de mi libro y, en segundo lugar, contestaré sus preguntas. (First, I will talk about my book, and, secondly, I will answer your questions.)

24. anoche – last night, yesterday evening

You can use this Spanish adverb at the end or at the beginning of sentences.

Anoche publiqué una nueva entrada en mi blog. (Last night I published a new entry on my blog.)

25. por último – lastly, finally, last but not least

This phrase can be used to express that something was done in the end or to introduce one last idea.

Por último, los estudiantes dieron las gracias a su profesor. (Finally, the students thanked their tutor.)

26. la mayor parte del tiempo – most of the time, mostly

This adverbial phrase can be used at the end or beginning of sentences, and it means “mostly”.

José es de Guatemala, pero vivió en México la mayor parte del tiempo. (José is from Guatemala, but he mostly lived in Mexico.)

27. luego – next, close (Mexico), soon (Latin America)

In general, the word “luego” means “next” or “then”. However, in Mexico, it means “close”, and in Latin America, it means “soon”.

Me levanté y luego me duché. (I woke up and then I took a shower.)

La casa de mis padres está acá luego. (My parent’s house is very close.)

Espérame un momento que luego estoy contigo. (Wait for me! I will soon be with you.)

28. al otro día – (the) next day

This phrase means “the other day” or “next morning/day”.

Quedamos en vernos al otro día. (We made plans to meet the other day.)

29. por la mañana – in the morning

For expressing that something was done in the morning, use the Spanish phrase “por la mañana”.

El sol se pone temprano por la mañana. (The sun rises early in the morning.)

30. nunca – never, ever (after not)

Use the adverb “nunca” before the main verb of a sentence.

Nunca he cantado en frente de otras personas. (I have never sung in front of other people.)

31. ahora – now, in a minute, currently

The word “ahora” has more than one meaning. It can mean “now” or “soon”.

Ahora es mi turno. (Now it is my turn.)

Ahora regreso. (I’ll be back in a minute.)

32. muchas veces – often, many times

Native Spanish speakers usually use this phrase at the end of sentences.

He estado en España muchas veces. (I have been in Spain many times.)

33. el siguiente año – the following year

You can also say “el siguiente día” (the following day), “el siguiente mes” (the following month), or “la siguiente semana” (the following week).

Me mudaré de casa el siguiente año. (I will move out the following year.)

34. raramente – rarely, seldom

For expressing an action that occurs rarely, use the Spanish adverb “raramente”.

Yo raramente me enfermo. (I rarely get sick.)

35. desde entonces – since then, ever since

For expressing that an action started to take place since a specific point in time, use “desde entonces”.

Ella dejó de comer lácteos y se ha sentido mejor desde entonces. (She stopped eating dairy and has felt better since then.)

36. algunas veces – sometimes, a few times, occasionally

This adverb expresses frequency. It means that something happens at times.

Normalmente camino a la escuela, pero algunas veces tomo el bus. (I usually walk to school, but sometimes I take the bus.)

37. pronto – soon, fast, quickly, early (Spain)

“Pronto” means “soon”, but in Spain, it means “early”.

Tenemos que terminar el reporte pronto. (We need to finish the report soon.)

Es muy pronto para desayunar. (It is too early to have breakfast.)

38. de repente – suddenly, all of a sudden, maybe (South America)

The phrase “de repente” has a different meaning. It means “suddenly”. In South America, it means “maybe” and “probably”.

De repente escuchamos un gran ruido. (Suddenly, we heard a big noise.)

De repente se le olvidó la clase. (He probably forgot the lesson.)

39. entonces – then

The word “entonces” has different meanings. It means “at that time” or “then”. It is also used to express a conclusion.

Si te gustan las fresas, entonces te gustará este postre. (If you like strawberries, then you’ll like this dessert.)

Se casarán el otro mes y entonces se irán a vivir a Costa Rica. They will get married next month, and then they will move to Costa Rica.

40. mientras tanto – in the meantime, meanwhile, until then

41. para continuar – to continue.

If you use a verb after this phrase, make sure to add -ando or -iendo to it. Use Spanish present participles after the verb “continuar”.

Apagué la alarma para continuar durmiendo. (I turned off the alarm to continue sleeping.)

42. cuando – when, if

“Cuando” can be used as an adverb and conjunction. It means “when” and can be used in conditional sentences.

Cuando sea grande, seré un policía. (I will be a police officer when I grow up.)

43. tercero – third

This word can be used to introduce a third idea.

Primero, debes ser responsable. Segundo, debes trabajar duro. Tercero, debes ser puntual. (First, you need to be responsible. Second, you need to work hard. Third, you need to be punctual.)

44. ayer – yesterday

Use the adverb “ayer” to express that something happened yesterday.

El accidente ocurrió ayer. (The accident happened yesterday.)

Spanish Transition Words Related to Place

45. encima de – at the top of.

For expressing that something is in one place superior to another one, use the Spanish prepositional phrase “encima de”.

Pon la taza encima de la mesa. (Put the cup on the table.)

46. en medio de – midst, in the middle of

For expressing that something is in the middle of something or between two things, use the Spanish prepositional phrase “en medio de”.

¡Ten cuidado! Hay una animal en medio de la calle. (Be careful! There is an animal in the middle of the street.)

47. alrededor de – around, about

“Alrededor de” expresses time and place. When it expresses time, it approximately indicates a number. When it indicates a place, it means “around”.

Los niños corren alrededor de la silla. (Children run around the chair.)

Son alrededor de las 5 de la tarde. (It’s about 5 in the afternoon.)

48. abajo – below, down

This Spanish adverb indicates that something is in a place that is in a lower position than something else.

Encontrarás la traducción de este documento abajo. (You will find the translation of this document below.)

49. al lado de – next to, by

For expressing that something is close to something else, use the Spanish phrase “al lado de”.

Mi cama está al lado de la ventana. (My bed is next to the window.)

50. más allá – beyond, further

This phrase is used to express that something is far away from something else.

Hay un pequeño pueblo más allá del río. (There is a small town beyond the river.)

51. adelante – forward, ahead, onward

This adverb indicates that something is in the direction that someone is facing. If someone tells you “¡Adelante!”, he means “carry on”.

Estamos cansados, pero seguimos adelante. (We are tired, but we are moving forward.)

52. de – of, from

This is the most used Spanish preposition. It is usually translated as “of” or “from”.

Mis padres son de España. (My parents are from Spain.)

53. desde – from, since

This denotes a point in time or place. Use “desde” with specific dates or places.

No te puedo ver bien desde aquí. (I cannot see you well from here.)

54. aquí – here

This Spanish adverb means at, on or in this place.

¡Ven aquí! Quiero mostrarte algo. (Come here! I want to show you something.)

55. delante de – in front of, before

“Delante de” means “at the sight of” or “in the presence of”.

Me gusta cantar delante de mucha gente. (I like to sing in front of many people.)

56. dentro de – within

If something is “dentro de” something else, it is inside a real or imaginary space.

La carta está dentro del sobre. (The letter is inside the envelope.)

57. cerca de – close to

For expressing that something is close to something else, use the Spanish prepositional phrase “cerca de”.

Hay un parque cerca de mi casa. (There is a park near my house.)

58. sobre – on, about

The word “sobre” has more than one meaning. It can mean “on”, “about” or “over”.

Puse tus libros sobre la mesa. (I put your books on the table.)

59. frente a – in front, in the face of

“Frente a” and “delante de” have the same meaning. It means “at the sight of” or “in the presence of”.

Estoy frente a la tienda, no al lado de ella. (I’m in front of the store, not next to it.)

60. afuera – outside

For expressing that something is outside of the site where it is, use the Spanish adverb “afuera”.

Estamos afuera de la casa. (We are outside the house.)

61. a través de – through, across

“A través de” is a Spanish prepositional phrase, and it means “through” or “across”.

Todos los turistas caminamos a través de las montañas. (All the tourists walked through the mountains.)

62. entre – between, among, amid

If you are “entre” two things, you may be “between”, “among” or “amid” them.

Hay un espacio grande entre la mesa y la pared. (There is a large space between the table and the wall.)

63. debajo de – below, under, underneath

The words “debajo de”, “bajo” and “abajo” can be translated into English as “below” or “under”.

Encontré mi libro debajo de la cama. “I found my book under the bed.”

64. junto a – next to

For expressing that something is “next to” or “close to” something else, use the phrase “junto a”.

Me senté junto a mi amigo en la reunión. (I sat next to my friend at the meeting.)

Spanish Transition Words to Add an Idea

65. aparte de – besides, apart from, aside from.

Use the prepositional phrase “aparte de” to add an idea. It means “besides” or “apart from”.

Aparte de mí, todos tienen hambre. (Apart from me, everyone is hungry.)

66. además – moreover, additionally, in addition

For adding information to the one already presented, use the Spanish adverb “además”.

La fruta es buena para tu salud y, además, son deliciosas. (Fruit is good for your health and, in addition, it’s delicious.)

67. asimismo – also

For expressing equality and similarity, use the Spanish adverb “asimismo”.

Ellos donaron dinero a la organización. Asimismo, donaron algunos juguetes. (They donated money to the organization. They also donated some toys.)

68. de todas formas – in any case, anyhow

This Spanish phrase is used to confirm or support an idea.

Mi profesor no sabía la respuesta a mi pregunta, pero me ayudó de todas formas. (My teacher did not know the answer to my question, but he helped me anyway.)

69. de todas maneras – in any case, anyhow, all the same

The phrase “de todas maneras” is used in the same way “de todas formas” is used. They both mean the same.

Quédate. De todas maneras, todos somos responsables. (Stay. We are responsible all the same.)

70. de todos modos – in any case, anyhow

The phrase “de todos modos” is used in the same way “de todas formas” is used. They both mean the same.

Quedémonos en casa. De todos modos, no podremos ir a la fiesta. (Let’s stay at home. Anyway, we cannot go to the party.)

71. de cualquier manera – in any case, in any way, anyhow

The phrase “de cualquier manera” is used in the same way “de todas formas” is used. They both mean the same.

Está lloviendo, pero pienso ir al colegio de todos modos. (It’s raining, but I plan to go to school anyway.)

72. sobre todo – above all, particularly, especially

You can use this Spanish phrase to give special emphasis to an idea.

A mí me gustan las rosas, sobre todo las rojas. (I like roses, especially red ones.)

73. también – also, too

“También” means “in addition”.

Yo quiero aprender a bailar salsa también. (I want to learn to dance salsa, too.)

74. otra vez – again

The phrase “otra vez” means “another time” or “once more”.

Me estás haciendo la misma pregunta otra vez. (You are asking me the same question again.)

75. y – and

The word “y” is a conjunction. It is used to connect two ideas or words of the same part of speech. It is used to introduce an additional idea.

Mi hermana no come carnes rojas, y mi hermano no come carnes blancas. (My sister does not eat red meat, and my brother does not eat white meat.)

76. en primera instancia – in the first place, first of all

For introducing an initial idea, you can use the phrase “en primera instancia”.

En primera instancia, quiero agradecerles su presencia. (First of all, I want to thank you for your presence.)

77. de igual manera – similarly, likewise, in the same way

You can use this Spanish phrase to express a similarity between two facts or events.

De igual manera, quiero agradecerte por tu participación. (In the same way, I want to thank you for your participation.)

Spanish Transition Words to Contrast an Idea

78. a diferencia de – in contrast to, unlike.

For expressing that something is different from something else, use the phrase “a diferencia de”.

A diferencia de mis abuelos, muchas personas prefieren quedarse en casa. (Unlike my grandparents, many people prefer to stay at home.)

79. a pesar de – in spite of, despite

“A pesar de” means “without being affected by”. This phrase is usually translated into English as “despite” or “in spite of”.

Llegamos a tiempo al trabajo a pesar del tráfico. (We arrived on time to work despite the traffic.)

80. a pesar de que – despite the fact that, although

The phrase “a pesar de que” usually introduces a subordinate sentence. It means “although”.

A pesar de que no me gustan las películas de acción, esta me gustó. (Even though I do not like action movies, I liked this one.)

81. al contrario – on the contrary,  in contrast

Don’t confuse “al contrario” and “de lo contrario”. “Al contrario” means “on the contrary”. “De lo contrario” means “if not”.

No tengo ninguna objeción. Al contrario, estoy de acuerdo contigo. (I have no objection. On the contrary, I agree with you.)

82. aunque – although, even though

The word “aunque” introduces a subordinate sentence. It means “although”.

Llegaré a tu casa aunque no quieras. (I’ll come to your house even if you do not want to.)

83. con todo – nevertheless, still

This phrase introduces a comment that is opposed to what is expressed. Hemos tenido muchos problemas. Con todo, hemos progresado. (We have had a lot of problems. Nevertheless, we have made progress.)

84.  en cambio – on the other hand, instead

This prepositional phrase expresses a complete contrast.

Creí que pocos vendrían a mi fiesta. En cambio, muchos vinieron . (I thought that few would come to my party. Instead, many came.)

85. en contraste con – in contrast to

This phrase is used to compare two things or people and say that the second one is different from the first one.

En contraste con el agua de los ríos, el agua del mar es salada. (In contrast to the water of rivers, the water from the sea is salty.)

86. en lugar de – instead of, rather than

You can use this Spanish phrase to say that something replaces something else.

Prefiero ayudar en lugar de quedarme aquí sentada. (I prefer to help instead of sitting here.)

87. en vez de – instead of, rather than

“En vez de” and “en lugar de” have similar meanings. You can use this phrase to express that something replaces something else.

Muchos envían correos en vez de cartas. (Many send emails instead of letters.)

88. no obstante – nevertheless, however, notwithstanding

This Spanish phrase is used to express contrast, and it is usually used at the beginning of sentences.

Ese problema no es importante; no obstante, necesita mi atención. (That problem is not important; however, it needs my attention.)

89. por el contrario – on the contrary, by contrast

This phrase is also used to compare two things or people and say that the second one is different from the first one.

Mi padre es muy serio y, por el contrario, mi madre es muy sonriente. My father is very serious and, on the contrary, my mother is very smiling.

90. por un lado…por el otro lado – on the one hand…on the other hand

It is a Spanish connector (or link word) that allows you to sort the information of a speech.

Ten en cuenta dos cosas: por un lado el tiempo que invertirán y, por el otro, el dinero que necesitarán para llevar a cabo este proyecto.

(Keep in mind two things: on the one hand the time they will invest and, on the other, the money they will need to carry out this project.)

91. sin embargo – nevertheless, however

El equipo jugó muy bien. Sin embargo, perdió el campeonato. (The team played very well. However, it lost the championship.)

92. pero – but

The word “pero” is a conjunction, and it joins two sentences, clauses, phrases or words of the same part of speech. It is used to express contrast.

Ella quiere un café sin leche, pero yo lo quiero con leche y azúcar. (She wants a coffee without milk, but I want it with milk and sugar.)

93. aún así – even so

For expressing a statement that seems surprising after what you said before, use “aún así”.

Hay muchos policías en las calles y, aún así, hay muchos robos en la ciudad. (There are many policemen in the streets. Even so, there are many robberies in the city.)

94. de lo contrario – otherwise, differently

This phrase can be used to express how an idea is related to what was said before.

El caviar es delicioso y nadie puede convencerme de lo contrario. (Caviar is delicious and no one can convince me otherwise.)

Spanish Transition Words to Compare an Idea

95. así como – as well as, just as.

“Así mismo” means “to an equal degree than”.

Pienso invitar a mi familia así como a mis amigos. (I plan to invite my family as well as my friends.)

96. con relación a – with regard to, regarding

“Con relación a” means “regarding” or “about”.

Quiero hacerte unas preguntas con relación al accidente de ayer. (I want to ask you a few questions with regard to yesterday’s accident.)

97. de la misma forma/manera/modo – in the same way, likewise

For expressing that something was performed in the way or in the like manner as something else, use “de la misma manera”. “Forma” and “modo” are other ways of saying “manera”.

Todos los trabajadores de esta empresa deben ser tratados de la misma forma que los de otras empresas. (All the workers of this company must be treated in the same way as those of other companies.)

98. en cuanto a – in terms of, in respect of

The phrase “en cuanto a” means “in connection to” or “in terms of”.

Mi opinión en cuanto a los gastos de la empresa es que debemos acortarlos. (My opinion regarding the expenses of the company is that we must shorten them.)

99. sin duda – without a doubt, certainly, surely

For emphasizing that what is being said is true, use the Spanish phrase “sin duda”.

Mi amigo es muy generoso y sin duda te ayudará. (My friend is very generous and will undoubtedly help you.)

100. tal como – just like, such as

The phrase “tal como” also means “for example”.

La situación es tal como la han descrito. (The situation is just like it was described.)

101. de cierta manera – in a way, in some way, in a sense

For expressing that something was done in an unspecified way or manner, use the Spanish phrase “de cierta manera”. De cierta manera, estoy de acuerdo contigo. (In a way, I agree with you.)

Spanish Transition Words to Explain an Idea

102. está claro que – of course, admittedly, it is clear that.

You can use this Spanish phrase to agree that something is true.

Está claro que todos hemos entendido la explicación. (It is clear that we have all understood the explanation.)

103. en efecto – indeed, in fact

For confirming what has been stated, use the phrase “en efecto”.

Esta oferta es, en efecto, muy buena. (This offer is, in effect, very good.)

104. en realidad – indeed, in fact, actually

This phrase is usually used at the beginning of sentences, and it means “actually”.

En realidad, las cosas no son como tú crees. (Actually, things are not as you think they are.)

105. en resumen – in short, in summary, in essence

For summing up ideas, use the Spanish phrase “en resumen”.

La reunión de ahora fue, en resumen, muy provechosa. Today’s meeting was, in short, very helpful.

106. es decir – that is to say, in other words

For expressing something in a different way, use the phrase “es decir”.

Ellos hablan de la capital de Francia, es decir, de Paris . They speak of the capital of France, in other words, Paris.

107. por ejemplo – for example

For introducing examples, use the phrase “for example” in Spanish.

Compremos productos de belleza: maquillaje, por ejemplo. Let’s us buy beauty products: makeup, for example.

108. por lo general – in general, usually

To indicate that you are talking about something as a whole, use the Spanish phrase “por lo general”.

Por lo general, esta reunión se realiza a fin de mes. (Usually, this meeting is held at the end of the month.)

109. por supuesto – of course, naturally

For introducing an idea that is expected, use the Spanish phrase “por supuesto”.

Por supuesto que quiero conocer a tus hijos. (Of course, I want to meet your children.)

110. en otras palabras – in other words

For expressing something in a different way, use the phrase “en otras palabras”.

La hermana de mi mamá es, en otras palabras, mi tía. (My mom’s sister is, in other words, my aunt.)

111. en particular – in particular

To state that an idea or a statement applies to one person or thing more than any other, use the phrase “en particular”.

Ahora hablamos de dos temas en particular. Today we talked about two issues in particular.

112. específicamente – specifically, particularly

For giving special emphasis to a statement, use the Spanish adverb “específicamente”.

Este juguete fue diseñado específicamente para niños de dos años. (This toy was designed specifically for two-year-old children.)

113. para ilustrar – to illustrate

For explaining ideas or making something clear, use the phrase “para ilustrar”.

Quiero decir algo para ilustrar lo que acabo de decir. (I want to say something to illustrate what I just said.)

Spanish Transition Words to Express Results

114. en consecuencia – consequently, accordingly, as a consequence.

Use the phrase “en consecuencia” to express the result. You can also use the adverb “consecuentemente”.

Los colegios privados son populares; en consecuencia, atraen más estudiantes. (Private schools are popular; consequently, they attract more students.)

115. por consiguiente – consequently, therefore

“Por consiguiente” and “en consecuencia” have similar meanings. You can also use the phrase to express the result.

Has trabajado todo el día y por consiguiente deberías descansar. You have worked all day; therefore,  you should rest.

116. por eso – therefore, for this reason, that’s why

For introducing a logical result, use the Spanish phrase “por eso”.

No consumo lácteos; por eso, no como pizza. (I do not consume dairy; for this reason, I do not eat pizza.)

117. por lo tanto – therefore, hence

“Por lo tanto” and “por eso” have a similar meaning. Use this phrase to introduce a logical result.

La oferta es buena; y por lo tanto, la aceptaremos. (The offer is good; therefore, we will accept it.)

118. por lo visto – apparently, by all accounts, with that in mind

Use “por lo visto” to express that you are not certain about what you are stating.

Por lo visto, la compañía ha alcanzado sus metas. (Apparently, the company has reached its goals.)

119. resulta que … – it turns out that . . .

For expressing result, use the Spanish phrase “resulta que”. If you want to use this phrase in the past, use “resultó que”.

Estela me dijo que vendía, pero ahora resulta que no vendrá. Estela told me she would come, but now it turns out she will not come.

120. ya que – since, because of

For introducing reasons or explanations, use the phrase “ya que”.

No pude llegar a la reunión ya no que había transporte. (I could not go to the meeting since there was no transportation.)

Spanish Transition Words to Conclude an Argument

121. al fin y al cabo – after all.

For supporting a statement you just said, use the Spanish phrase “al fin y al cabo”.

Hasta mi profesor de matemáticas se equivoca. Al fin y al cabo, él también es humano. (Even my math teacher makes mistakes. After all, he is also human.)

122. finalmente – finally, eventually, lastly, at last

This Spanish adverb is used to express that something was done in the end.

My sister could finally solve the math problem! (Finalmente, mi hermana pudo resolver el problema de matemáticas.)

123. para terminar –  lastly, finally

For indicating that something is last in a series of actions, use the phrase “para terminar”.

Para terminar, quiero hablarles acerca del proyecto en el que están trabajando. (To finish, I want to talk to you about the project you are working on.)

Spanish Transition Words Practice

And finally.

Memorizing vocabulary is easier than you think! When learning a new word, look at its spelling, meaning, usage and pronunciation. And don’t forget to learn it in context so you learn when, where, and how it’s used. Clozemaster can help you with all that and more! Check it out.

4 thoughts on “100+ Spanish Transition Words and Phrases to Sound Like a Native Speaker”

Muchas gracias por esta lista. This seems to be quite extensive and will be a very useful addition to anyone trying to learn the ins and outs of Spanish. You have put a lot of thought into this and I for one am very grateful.

Very good list, I learned a lot! I’m gonna save this. I was just hoping there would be transition words for changing the subject, not so abruptly lol

Perfect to use for the persuasive essay on the AP Spanish exam! Thank you very much.

. This is the best list ever. It is quite exhaustive, which is a good thing. I will use this forever and ever as I continue to work on improving my Spanish. It’s very easy to read and follow. You will get a lot of use out of this. No need to reinvent the wheel because someone has already done it for you.

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52 Spanish Essay Phrases for Your AP Exam

In order to do well on the AP Spanish exam’s   free-response  section, you must be able to write a persuasive essay based on three Spanish-language sources.

Here we’ve put together a list of 52 vocabulary words and essays phrases that will come in handy for making and supporting arguments in your AP Spanish essays.

Handy Essay Phrases for Writing a Strong Spanish AP Composition

Starting your essay, agreeing and disagreeing, stating an opinion, supporting an opinion, contrasting (or comparing), transitional phrases, changing topics, concluding your essay, how to prepare for the ap spanish essay, what are the details of the ap spanish essay, and one more thing….

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

Para empezar – To begin with

Hoy en día – Nowadays…

Hoy en día, las personas están en Internet hasta ocho horas por día. (Nowadays, people are on the Internet up to eight hours per day.)

A manera de introducción – We can start by saying…

Como punto de partida – As a starting point

Al principio – At the beginning… 

En primer lugar  – To start… 

Empecemos por considerar – Let’s begin by considering…

Estoy de acuerdo/No estoy de acuerdo — I agree/I disagree

Estoy de acuerdo con lo que dice el autor. (I agree with what the author says.)

No estoy de acuerdo con la idea principal de la fuente número dos . (I disagree with the main idea of source number two.)

En mi opinión — In my opinion

En mi opinión, los jóvenes deberían comer más sano. (In my opinion, young people should eat healthier.)

La verdad es   — The truth is

La verdad es que todavía hay mucha desigualdad en los Estados Unidos . (The truth is there is still a lot of inequality in the United States.)

Es verdad  — It’s true

Es verdad que las redes sociales pueden ser peligrosas . (It’s true that social media can be dangerous.)

Es falso   —   It’s false

Hay gente que dice que las redes sociales son peligrosas, pero esto es falso . (There are people who say that social media is dangerous, but this is false.)

Me parece/No me parece   —   It seems to me/It doesn’t seem to me

Me parece bien que los niños asistan a colegios bilingües . (I think it’s a good idea that children attend bilingual schools.)

No me parece bien que los niños asistan a colegios bilingües . (I don’t think it’s a good idea that children attend bilingual schools.)

Remember that since me parece implies an opinion or emotion, you must conjugate the verb in the subjunctive tense.

(Yo) pienso que   —   I think that

Yo pienso que no hay nada más importante que la familia . (I think that there is nothing more important than family.)

(Yo) creo que  — I believe that

Yo creo que todos los adolescentes deberían aprender a tocar un instrumento . (I believe that all adolescents should learn to play an instrument.)

The following phrases all have the same structure: Es  + adjective +  que .

This structure is similar to the English “It’s [adjective] that…” and is great for expressing and supporting opinions in a strong and confident manner. Here are some phrases that are especially useful when making and defending claims in a persuasive essay:

Es evidente que   —   It’s evident that

Es claro que   —   It’s clear that

Es cierto que  —   It’s certain that

Es obvio que   — It’s obvious that

Es importante que  — It’s important that

Es necesario que   — It’s necessary that

Es probable que   —   It’s probable that

Es dudoso que  — It’s doubtful that

For some of these phrases, the verb following the word que must be conjugated in the indicative, while others require the subjunctive . A good rule of thumb is that when implying that something is certain, use the indicative. When expressing doubt or expressing some other emotion, use the subjunctive.

On this list, evidente, claro, cierto  and obvio use indicative verbs, and importante, necesario, probable  and dudoso use subjunctive verbs.

Es cierto que nuestro clima está cambiando . (It is certain that our climate is changing.)

Es importante que la gente sepa hablar más de un idioma . (It’s important that people know how to speak more than one language.)

These words will help you refer to your three sources, which contain information that will help you support your argument. This section also contains transition words to connect one part of your argument to the next.

Según   — According to  

Según el autor… (according to the author…)

La fuente  —   The source

Según la fuente numero 1… (According to source number one…)

El tema   —   The theme/topic

Esto es un tema muy importante. (This is a very important topic.)

Mostrar   —   To show

La fuente muestra la importancia de la diversidad. (The source shows the importance of diversity.)

Remember, mostrar is an o-ue stem-changing verb—pay attention to conjugation!

Demostrar   —   To demonstrate

La tabla demuestra que muchos jóvenes en España juegan al fútbol. (The table demonstrates that many youths in Spain play football.)

Demostrar is also an o-ue stem changing verb. Luckily for you, it follows the exact same conjugation rules as mostrar !

Indicar   —   To indicate

La tabla indica que hay muchas familias pobres en ese barrio. (The table indicates that there are many poor families in that neighborhood.)

Apoyar   —   To support

Estos datos apoyan la idea de que el clima está cambiando. (This data supports the idea that the climate is changing)

Sin duda   — Without a doubt

Sin duda, el cambio climático es el problema más grave que enfrenta nuestra planeta. (Without a doubt, climate change is the most serious problem that our planet faces.)

Por otra parte   — On the other hand

Es importante que la economía crezca, pero por otra parte, tenemos que cuidar el medio ambiente. (It’s important that the economy grows, but on the other hand, we have to care for the environment.)

Aunque   — Even though/Although

Aunque is followed by an indicative verb when the outcome is known, but a subjunctive verb when the outcome is speculative.

Aunque cuesta mucho dinero, tenemos que buscar una solución. (Even though it costs a lot of money, we have to search for a solution.)

Aunque cueste mucho dinero, tenemos que buscar una solución . (Even though it may cost a lot of money, we have to search for a solution.)

Al igual que  —   Just like

Al igual que en los años 40, hoy en día hay mucha gente que no quiere ayudar a los refugiados de guerra . (Just like in the 40s, today there are many people who don’t want to help war refugees.)

Tanto… como… — … as well as…

Fill in this phrase with two nouns to emphasize that you’re talking equally about two different things.

Tanto chicos como chicas deberían aprender a cocinar, limpiar, coser y cuidar a los bebés. (Boys as well as girls ought to learn how to cook, clean, sew and care for babies.)  

Sino   —   But rather

Remember that Spanish has two translations for the English word “but.” The word sino is like the English phrase “but rather,” used to introduce an alternative.

En comparación  —   In comparison

En comparación, la fuente número 2 indica que hay más obesidad en Estados Unidos que en España . (In comparison, source number 2 indicates that there is more obesity in the United States than in Spain.)

Leer no es una pérdida de tiempo, sino una manera de aprender y de conocer otras culturas . (Reading isn’t a waste of time, but rather a way to learn and understand other cultures.)

Además  — Additionally

This word is usually seen at the beginning of a sentence, and it’s useful for transitioning from one idea or argument to another.

Además, es evidente que la tecnología nos ayuda mucho. (Additionally, it’s evident that technology helps us a lot.)

Sin embargo   —   However

This is another good transition word. In your essay, you may want to present an alternate argument and then explain why you disagree with it. Sin embargo is very helpful for this.

Obviamente, estudiar es muy importante. Sin embargo, es necesario que los adolescentes tengan tiempo para jugar con sus amigos . (Obviously, studying is very important. However, it’s necessary that teenagers have time to play with their friends.)

Por lo cual   —   For this reason/That’s why/Which is why

This phrase is used in the middle of a sentence to connect ideas.

La Amazonía tiene un alto nivel de biodiversidad, por lo cual la conservación de esta región debe ser una prioridad.  (The Amazon has a high level of biodiversity, which is why the conservation of this region must be a priority.)

Sobre un tema relacionado — On a related topic

Sobre un tema relacionado con la inteligencia artificial, se están llevando a cabo investigaciones para mejorar la capacidad de aprendizaje de los algoritmos de machine learning.  (Regarding a topic related to artificial intelligence, research is being conducted to enhance the learning capacity of machine learning algorithms.)

Cuando se trata de –  When it comes to

Relacionado con esta idea — Related to this idea

Una idea similar es — A similar idea is

Una idea similar es utilizar la realidad virtual como herramienta educativa para mejorar la experiencia de aprendizaje de los estudiantes. (A similar idea is to use virtual reality as an educational tool to enhance the learning experience of students.)

Ahora estoy pasando a  — Now moving onto

In your final paragraph, you’ll want to provide a summary of your main argument and your main supporting points. You can use the following helpful phrases:

En conclusión   —   In conclusion

En resumen   —   In summary

En fin   —   Finally

En conclusión,/En resumen,/En fin, las tres fuentes muestran que la contaminación del aire es un problema muy grave para todo el mundo . (In summary, the three sources show that air pollution is a very serious problem for the whole world.)

After summarizing your essay, you’ll want to restate your main argument in a succinct, strongly-worded sentence. Start with these phrases:

Por estas razones   —   For these reasons

Por eso  — That is why

Así que   —   Therefore

Entonces  — So

Por estas razones,/Por eso,/Así que/Entonces, afirmo que los adolescentes no deberían usar las redes sociales. (For these reasons, I affirm that teenagers should not use social media.)

In many ways, preparing for the free-response section is the same as preparing for the rest of the AP exam.

It involves studying grammar and vocabulary, and it also means immersing yourself in the Spanish language as much as possible.

There are also some targeted ways to practice for the free-response section.

• Do practice exams and read sample essays. The College Board  has posted the full AP exams from the last several years. Try to read the sources and write the essay in the allotted 55 minutes. When you’re done, go back and slowly revise your essay for errors in grammar, spelling and logic. After that, you can also check out the grading rubric provided by the College Board and several sample persuasive essays . Try to compare your essay against the rubric and the samples to see how you can improve your writing.
• Practice summarizing and analyzing Spanish-language sources. Remember all those great resources listed above? Well, it’s not enough to just read or listen to them. The whole point of the presentational essay is to measure your ability to summarize, synthesize and argue. So, after you read or listen to a Spanish-language source, take five minutes to summarize it—on paper. Identify the main argument, and then make a bulleted list of important points. Finally, write a few sentences summarizing your personal opinion.
• Learn targeted vocabulary for talking about opinions and arguments. Is there anything more frustrating than knowing exactly what you want to say, but not having the vocabulary to say it? This article lists many crucial vocabulary words for expressing and supporting opinions in persuasive essays. Using these words and phrases will help make your writing flow more smoothly, and allow you to argue with more credibility.

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You can also find some great info on great news outlets , podcasts , YouTube channels  and blogs —all in Spanish. Even following some Spanish Twitter feeds or listening to Spanish music can be a great way to work a little language practice into your day.

The free-response section of the exam is meant to test your ability to communicate with others in spoken and written Spanish.

There are two essays in the free-response section. The interpersonal essay asks you to respond to an email. The presentational essay  tests how well you can draw information from Spanish-language sources, form an argument and write formally. This second essay is a little less straightforward, so we’ll walk you through it here.

So, how does it work?

The presentational essay is based on three sources . Two of them are written sources and one is an audio source.

These sources can be just about anything: Advertisements, articles, infographics, letters, maps, interviews, radio programs, podcasts and conversations are just some examples of the types of sources you may encounter.

You’ll have about 55 minutes to complete this particular essay. First, you’ll have six minutes to read the prompt and the two written sources, and then you’ll hear the audio source twice. Finally, you’ll have 40 minutes to plan and write your essay.

The essay is graded on the basis of Spanish language skills like reading, listening, writing and grammar—but it’s also based on your general ability to analyze the sources and make a strong, coherent argument.

Of course, learning vocabulary and essay phrases is just one way to prepare for the free-response section.

Remember to expose yourself to as many Spanish-language sources as you can before test day, and don’t forget to think critically about those sources as you read them!

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Spanish Essay Phrases: 40 Useful Phrases for an Impressive Writeup

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May 30, 2019

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Do you need to write a lot of essays in Spanish? If you do, don’t worry. It's about to get a little bit easier for you because here in this article, we’ve listed many useful Spanish essay phrases that you can readily use in your essays.

Feel free to pepper your essays with the words and expressions from this list. It would certainly elevate your essays and impress your teachers. You're welcome!

Get the PDF ( + MP3!)

No time to read now? Then you might opt to get the list in PDF instead. If you sign up to the newsletter, you'll get the list of Spanish essay phrases in PDF format plus free audio files. 

Spanish Essay Phrases

Additional Resources

You can also check out the following resources:

84 Spanish Expressions for Agreeing and Disagreeing

Common Spanish Verbs

Expresiones útiles para escribir en español

Looking for more Spanish phrases? Check out this e-book with audio!

Try to use the essay phrases in Spanish that you learned in this lesson and write a few example sentences in the comments section!

About the author 

Janey is a fan of different languages and studied Spanish, German, Mandarin, and Japanese in college. She has now added French into the mix, though English will always be her first love. She loves reading anything (including product labels).

VERY VERY useful !! Gracias

Amazing! This will definitely help me in tomorrow’s spanish test 🙂

Sounds good

Thanks for the assistance, in learning Spanish.

Amazing article! Very helpful! Also, this website is great for Spanish Beginners.

It’s easy when you put it that way

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Because, but and More: An Intro To Spanish Connectors

Now that you’ve mastered some basic Spanish greetings, questions, and phrases. You can order food and chat with the waiter but if you want to connect your words and start speaking in full sentences… That’s where Spanish Connectors come in.

These little words are the glue that holds sentences together and helps your Spanish flow. Connectors like porque, pero, and sin embargo allow you to create complex thoughts and share opinions. Without them, you end up speaking in short bursts, like a sputtering engine trying to start. But with a grasp of connectors, your Spanish will purr like a finely tuned machine.

This guide will teach you everything you need to know about the most common Spanish Connectors. You’ll be speaking smoothly and persuasively in no time. ¿Preparado? ¡Vamos!

• What Are Connectors In Spanish And What Are They Used For?

Why Do I Need to Know Connectors in Spanish?

How to know what connector use.

• The Most Useful Spanish Conversational Connectors
• 5 Additional Connectors That You Should Know With Examples

What are Connectors in Spanish and what are they used for?

Connectors, also known as linking words, are words used to connect sentences and ideas. In Spanish, connectors are crucial to speaking and writing cohesively. They help you express relationships between ideas, emphasize a point, or add contrast.

Some common connectors in Spanish are:

• Porque (because): Used to express cause or reason. For example, "No fui a la fiesta porque estaba enfermo" (I didn't go to the party because I was sick).
• Pero (but): Used to express contrast or exception. For example, "Quería ir al cine pero tenía mucha tarea" (I wanted to go to the movies but I had a lot of homework).
• Y (and): Links to two similar ideas or elements. For example, "Me gusta leer y escribir" (I like reading and writing).
• O (or): Used to express choice or alternatives. For example, "¿Quieres café o té?" (Do you want coffee or tea?).
• Sin embargo (however): Used to introduce a contrasting or opposing idea. For example, "Estaba cansado. Sin embargo, fui a la reunión" (I was tired. However, I went to the meeting).
• Además (also/in addition): Used to add additional information. For example, "Hablo inglés y francés. Además, hablo un poco de italiano" (I speak English and French. Also, I speak a little Italian).

Connectors are simple but essential tools to express relationships between your ideas in Spanish. Mastering a variety of connectors will make your Spanish speech and writing flow cohesively and sound more natural.

Why do you need to know connectors in Spanish? There are a few key reasons:

• Connectors help link your ideas and make your Spanish sound more fluent. Using words like “pero” (but), “sin embargo” (however), and “además” (also) allow you to connect sentences and speak smoothly.
• Connectors add coherence to your writing and speaking. Words like “primero” (first), “luego” (then), and “finalmente” (finally) help guide the reader or listener through your thoughts in a clear, logical way.
• Connectors convey your meaning more precisely. Instead of just saying “and”, you can use “por lo tanto” (therefore) or “por consiguiente” (consequently) to express cause and effect. Or use “a pesar de” (despite) and “aunque” (although) to contrast ideas.
• Connectors make your Spanish more interesting! Using a variety of connectors helps avoid repetition and makes your speech and writing more compelling. Words like “en otras palabras” (in other words) and “dicho de otra manera” (put another way) allow you to rephrase ideas in an engaging fashion.

Connectors are essential in Spanish for fluency, coherence, precision, and style. Take the time to learn the various types of connectors, study examples of their proper use, and incorporate them into your own speaking and writing

To use Spanish connectors correctly, you need to determine which one is most appropriate for the relationship between the ideas you want to express. Here are some tips to help you choose:

Consider the context

Think about whether the relationship between the ideas is contrasting (but), causal (because), or additive (and). Choose a connector that matches the logical relationship.

For example, use “pero” (but) to contrast two ideas, “porque” (because) to show cause and effect, or “y” (and) to add additional thoughts.

Think about the flow

Determine if you want to present ideas in a sequence or as related thoughts.

• For sequence, use connectors like “primero” (first), “luego” (then), “finalmente” (finally).
• For related thoughts, use “además” (also), “asimismo” (likewise).

Vary your connectors

Using a variety of connectors in your writing makes it more interesting to read and helps you express relationships more precisely. Some additional options include:

• Sin embargo (however) - to contrast ideas
• No obstante (nevertheless) - to contrast despite something else
• Es más (furthermore) - to add to a previous point
• En otras palabras (in other words) - to restate something in a new way
• Por el contrario (on the contrary) - to directly contradict a previous point

Choosing the right connector for your needs takes practice. Pay attention to the relationships between ideas in Spanish texts you read and notice which connectors are used in different contexts. When writing, consider the context and flow to determine which option feels like the best fit. With regular use, selecting appropriate connectors will become second nature!

The most useful Spanish Conversational Connectors

We are going to explore the most useful Spanish conversational connectors. These connectors play a crucial role in facilitating smooth and coherent conversations in Spanish. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced learner, mastering these connectors will enhance your ability to communicate effectively in Spanish.

Porque vs Por Qué: What's the Difference?

As a Spanish student, it's important to understand the difference between porque and por qué . Although they are made up of the same two words, their meanings, and uses are quite different.

• Porque means "because" and is used to express the reason for something.

For example: No fui a la fiesta porque estaba enfermo. (I didn't go to the party because I was sick.)

• Por qué means "why" and is used to ask the reason for something.

For example: ¿Por qué no fuiste a la fiesta? (Why didn't you go to the party?)

💡 To remember the difference, think:

• Porque = because (the reason for something)
• Por qué = why (asking for the reason)

💡 Some other tips to keep in mind:

• Porque is written as one word, while por qué is written as two separate words.
• Porque is used to provide an explanation, while por qué is used to ask for one.
• Only use por qué at the beginning of a question. Porque can be used within a sentence to provide an explanation.
• In questions, place an upside-down question mark (¿) at the beginning and a regular question mark (?) at the end.

How to Use 'Porque' (Because)

The Spanish connector 'porque' means 'because' and is used to express a reason or explanation for something. It's one of the most useful connectors to know.

Using 'Porque' in a Sentence

To use 'porque' in a sentence, place it at the beginning of the clause that provides the explanation or reason. For example:

• No fui a la fiesta porque estaba enfermo. (I didn't go to the party because I was sick.)
• Estudió mucho porque quería sacar buenas notas. (He studied a lot because he wanted to get good grades.)

Combining Clauses

You can combine two clauses using 'porque' to form a longer, complex sentence. For example:

• Me quedé en casa porque llovía, y no quería mojarme. (I stayed at home because it was raining, and I didn't want to get wet.)

🧠Using Other Connectors for 'Because'

Some useful synonyms for 'porque' include:

• Ya que: Since, given that
• Puesto que: Since, as
• Debido a que: Due to the fact that
• Gracias a que: Thanks to the fact that

Using a variety of connectors in your speech and writing will make you sound more fluent and natural. Try combining different connectors in one sentence to provide a thorough explanation.

For example:

• Me quedé en casa ya que llovía mucho, debido a que no quería mojarme, puesto que tenía que trabajar al día siguiente. (I stayed at home since it was raining heavily, due to the fact that I didn't want to get wet, given that I had to work the next day.)

With practice, 'porque' and other connectors will become second nature and help you express yourself clearly in Spanish.😌

Using 'Pero' (But) to Express Contrast

Use 'pero' when you want to contrast two opposing or differing thoughts or actions. It allows you to acknowledge one idea before presenting another, possibly contrary, idea. Be sure to place 'pero' between the two contrasting clauses or sentences.

• Me gustan los perros, pero no me gustan los gatos. (I like dogs, but I don't like cats.)

Expressing Contrast

In Spanish, the word 'pero' means 'but' and is used to express the contrast between two ideas or statements .

• Me gusta el invierno, pero prefiero el verano. (I like the winter, but I prefer the summer.)
• Quiero ir a la playa, pero tengo que trabajar. (I want to go to the beach, but I have to work.)

🧠Other Uses

You can also use 'pero' to:

• Express exceptions: Viajaré a Perú en enero, pero no iré a la selva amazónica. (I will travel to Peru in January, but I won't go to the Amazon rainforest.)
• Introduce an objection: Quiero ir de vacaciones, pero no tengo dinero. (I want to go on vacation, but I don't have any money.)
• Emphasize a contrast: Es barato, pero no es de buena calidad. (It's cheap, but it's not good quality.)

Other useful ways to say 'but' or express contrast in Spanish include:

• Aunque (although, even though)
• No obstante (nevertheless)
• Con todo (still, yet)
• A pesar de (despite, in spite of)

'Pero' will make your Spanish sound more fluent and help you express yourself in a clear, coherent way. 🔥

Sin Embargo, The Versatile 'However': Another Way to Say 'But'

'Sin embargo' is a versatile connector that allows you to smoothly transition between contrasting ideas in a sentence or between sentences. It indicates that while one thing is true, another contrasting thing is also true or acts as an exception.

Learning Spanish connectors like 'sin embargo' (however) allows you to add nuance and complexity to your speech. 'Sin embargo' is a useful transition word that indicates you are about to contradict or qualify what was just said.

When to use Sin Embargo

Use 'sin embargo' when you want to present an opposing or contrasting idea.

• "Me gusta mi trabajo. Sin embargo, no me pagan lo suficiente." (I like my job. However, they don't pay me enough.)

'Aunque' (Even Though) and Concession

Even though Spanish connectors like 'aunque' are small words, they play an important role in linking your sentences and conveying meaning.

'Aunque' is used to express contrast or concession, connecting two clauses where you acknowledge an objection to what you're saying. It translates to 'even though' or 'although' in English.

• Aunque estaba cansado, fui a la fiesta. (Even though I was tired, I went to the party.)

You can use 'aunque' to:

• Introduce an objection to a previous statement.
• Express contrast between two ideas.
• Show that something happened despite the circumstances.

Related Words

Some synonyms for 'aunque' include:

• A pesar de que (despite the fact that)
• Si bien (while)
• Por más que (no matter how much)

Using these types of concessive conjunctions shows your ability to present a balanced perspective and acknowledge counterarguments in your writing. Deploying them strategically can make your writing seem more nuanced, thoughtful and persuasive.

Use 'Asi Que' (So) to Express Consequence

Now that you've learned about Spanish connectors like porque (because), pero (but), and sin embargo (however), it's time to explore "así qué". This handy connector expresses consequence or result.

It indicates the result of something

Así que translates to "so" or "therefore" in English. You'll use it to express what results or happens as a consequence of something else.

• Estudié mucho, así que aprobé el examen. (I studied a lot, so I passed the exam.)
• Hace mucho calor hoy, así que voy a ir a la playa. (It's very hot today, so I'm going to the beach.)

It connects two clauses

Así que joins two independent clauses together, the first expressing a cause and the second expressing the resulting effect or consequence.

• Tenía hambre, así que fui a comer. (I was hungry, so I went to eat.)
• Se me hizo tarde, así que perdí el tren. (I was late, so I missed the train.)

It implies a logical conclusion

When you use así que, it shows that there is a logical conclusion or natural result that follows.

• Hace frío afuera, así que me quedé en casa. (it's cold outside, so I stayed home)
• Está lloviendo mucho, así que el partido fue cancelado. (It's raining hard, so the game was canceled.)

So in summary, use así que/so to express consequence, result or logical conclusion in Spanish. It's a useful connector to know to link your thoughts and ideas together in a clear way.

👑'Entonces' (Then/So) for Explaining What Happens Next

The connector 'entonces' is used to express what happens next in a sequence of events or to explain the result of what was said previously. Whether recounting a sequence of events or explaining how one circumstance leads to another, 'entonces' is a useful connector for clarifying relationships between ideas in Spanish.

For example, if you say "Estudié mucho para el examen, entonces saqué una buena nota," it means "I studied a lot for the exam, then/so I got a good grade."

Explaining What Comes After

When telling a story or recounting events, 'entonces' is useful for moving the narrative forward and showing how one thing leads to another.

For instance, you could say "Me desperté, entonces me duché y desayuné, entonces fui al trabajo." This means "I woke up, then I showered and ate breakfast, then I went to work." The 'entonces' connects each event and signals to the listener that you're explaining what happened next in order.

Expressing a Result

'Entonces' can also be used when describing how one situation results in another.

For example, "Hizo mucho frío anoche, entonces la calefacción se encendió automáticamente." This translates to "It was very cold last night, so the heating turned on automatically." Here, 'entonces' shows that the heating turning on was the result or consequence of the cold temperature.

🏅'Por Eso' (That's Why) to Explain the Reason Behind Something

When speaking Spanish, “por eso” is used to explain the reason behind something, essentially meaning “that’s why” or “for that reason”. Using “por eso” helps provide context and rationale when conversing or writing in Spanish. It allows you to give a straightforward cause and effect relationship that helps the listener understand the explanation or justification for something.

For instance, you might say:

• Estudié mucho por eso saqué buenas notas. (I studied a lot, that's why I got good grades.)
• Llegué tarde por eso me perdí el comienzo de la reunión. (I arrived late, that's why I missed the beginning of the meeting.)
• Hace frío por eso traje mi chaqueta. (It's cold, that's why I brought my jacket.)

other ways to express similar sentiments:

• Debido a eso (Due to that)
• Por esa razón (For that reason)
• Es por eso que (That is why)
• La causa de eso fue (The cause of that was)

When responding to why questions in Spanish, "por eso" is an easy and effective way to provide a concise answer by tying an effect or result directly to its cause or origin. The next time you want to express why something happened or the reason behind an outcome, just say "por eso"!

5 additional connectors that you should know with examples

1. además (moreover).

Además is used to add additional information that reinforces or strengthens an idea.

• Estudio español. Además, hablo inglés y francés. (I study Spanish. Moreover, I speak English and French.)

2. No obstante (Nevertheless)

No obstante is used to introduce an idea that contrasts with the previous statement but has a concessive meaning, like “despite that” or “even so”.

• Está lloviendo. No obstante, iré a correr. (It's raining. Nevertheless, I will go for a run.)

3. Es más (Furthermore)

Es más is used to add additional supporting information or emphasize a point. It means “what's more” or “furthermore”. For example:

• Este libro es interesante. Es más, es emocionante e inspirador. (This book is interesting. Furthermore, it's exciting and inspiring.)

4. En otras palabras (In other words)

En otras palabras is used to express something in a different way, to clarify or rephrase an idea.

• Me siento cansado hoy. En otras palabras, no tengo energía. (I feel tired today. In other words, I have no energy.)

5. Por lo tanto (Therefore)

Por lo tanto is used to express a conclusion or inference drawn from the previous statement. It means “consequently” or “as a result”. For example:

• Hace frío afuera. Por lo tanto, me quedaré en casa. (It's cold outside. Therefore, I will stay at home.)

So there you have it, a quick crash course in Spanish connectors that will allow you to start stringing your sentences together like a pro in no time. While it may seem like a small part of learning Spanish, connectors provide the glue that holds your language together and allows you to express complex ideas.

Now you've got the basics down pat, so start sprinkling these little words into your conversations and writing. Your fluency and confidence will grow in leaps and bounds. Pretty soon, you'll be chatting comfortably with native speakers and impressing everyone with your mastery of these tricky but useful words. Keep practicing, be patient with yourself, and don't forget to have fun while you learn.

You've got this! Now go out there and start connecting. So you've been studying Spanish for a while now and feel pretty comfortable with your vocabulary and grammar. But when speaking, you find yourself pausing a lot or repeating the same basic phrases because you're missing some key connectors.

Don't worry, it happens to all of us at some point. The good news is that Spanish connectors, like because, although, and however, are actually quite easy to pick up. In this article, we'll cover the most common Spanish connectors, how they're used, and ways for you to start practicing them right away in your conversations. Before you know it, you'll be connecting your ideas smoothly and speaking like a true native

See ya folks, the next time! Ami from the Tropics 🌴

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MY-SPANISH-DICTIONARY

Mastering Spanish Conjunctions and Connectors for Better Writing

Writing in any language is not just about stringing words together; it’s about weaving those words into a tapestry that conveys ideas, emotions, and information. In Spanish, as in English, this is largely achieved through the use of conjunctions and connectors. These linguistic tools are the threads that hold sentences and paragraphs together, providing structure and flow to your writing.

The Role of Conjunctions and Connectors

Conjunctions and connectors are essential in any language for several reasons. They help in:

• Linking Ideas: They connect sentences and paragraphs, making your writing cohesive.
• Providing Clarity: By linking ideas, they help convey your message more clearly.
• Adding Fluidity: They ensure a smooth transition between different parts of your text.

In this article, we will explore the various conjunctions and connectors used in Spanish, their types, and how to effectively incorporate them into your writing.

Understanding Spanish Conjunctions

Conjunctions are words that join words, phrases, or clauses. In Spanish, they are classified into different types based on their function.

Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions connect elements of similar grammatical structure. The most common ones are “y” (and), “o” (or), “pero” (but), “ni” (nor), and “sino” (but rather).

• Example: “Leo libros y revistas.” (I read books and magazines.)
• Example: “Quería ir al cine, pero estaba cerrado.” (I wanted to go to the cinema, but it was closed.)

Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions link a dependent clause to an independent clause. Some common ones are “que” (that), “si” (if), “cuando” (when), and “porque” (because).

• Example: “Creo que ella es honesta.” (I think she is honest.)
• Example: “Voy al parque cuando hace sol.” (I go to the park when it’s sunny.)

Correlative Conjunctions

These are pairs of conjunctions that work together. Examples include “ni…ni” (neither…nor), “ya sea…o” (either…or), and “tanto…como” (both…and).

• Example: “Ni canta ni baila.” (Neither sings nor dances.)
• Example: “Tanto en invierno como en verano, me gusta leer.” (Both in winter and summer, I like to read.)

The Power of Connectors in Spanish Writing

Connectors, also known as transitional words or phrases, are used to link ideas, sentences, or paragraphs. They help in guiding the reader through your argument or narrative.

Time Connectors

These connectors indicate the timing of actions. Examples include “luego” (then), “mientras” (while), “antes de” (before), and “después de” (after).

• Example: “Terminé mi tarea y luego fui al cine.” (I finished my homework and then went to the cinema.)
• Example: “Después de cenar, leo un libro.” (After dinner, I read a book.)

Cause and Effect Connectors

These are used to show the relationship between cause and effect. They include “porque” (because), “por lo tanto” (therefore), “debido a” (due to), and “así que” (so).

• Example: “Está lloviendo, así que llevaremos paraguas.” (It’s raining, so we will take umbrellas.)
• Example: “Debido a la tormenta, se cancelaron los vuelos.” (Due to the storm, flights were canceled.)

Contrast and Comparison Connectors

These connectors are used to compare or contrast ideas. Examples include “sin embargo” (however), “aunque” (although), “en cambio” (on the other hand), and “igual que” (just like).

• Example: “Es rico, sin embargo, es humilde.” (He is rich, however, he is humble.)
• Example: “Me gusta el té, en cambio, mi hermano prefiere el café.” (I like tea, on the other hand, my brother prefers coffee.)

Adding and Summarizing Connectors

Connectors like “además” (furthermore), “también” (also), “en resumen” (in summary), and “finalmente” (finally) are used for adding information or summarizing.

• Example: “Es inteligente y también muy amable.” (She is intelligent and also very kind.)
• Example: “En resumen, el proyecto fue un éxito.” (In summary, the project was a success.)

Practical Tips for Using Conjunctions and Connectors

• Understand the Function: Each conjunction and connector has a specific function. Understanding this will help you choose the right one.
• Keep It Varied: Avoid overusing the same words. Variety in your choice of conjunctions and connectors will make your writing more interesting.
• Context Is Key: The context in which you’re writing (formal, informal, academic, etc.) can dictate which conjunctions and connectors are appropriate.
• Practice Makes Perfect: The more you practice writing with these tools, the more naturally they will come to you.

Advanced Examples of Conjunctions and Connectors

To better understand the application of conjunctions and connectors, let’s look at some advanced examples.

Complex Sentences with Subordinating Conjunctions

• Example: “Aunque estaba cansado, terminó su trabajo.” (Although he was tired, he finished his work.)
• Analysis: “Aunque” introduces a contrast between being tired and completing work.
• Example: “Siempre que estudies, aprobarás los exámenes.” (As long as you study, you will pass the exams.)
• Analysis: “Siempre que” sets a condition for passing exams.

Using Connectors to Structure Argument

• Example: “Por un lado, quiero ir al cine, pero por otro lado, necesito ahorrar dinero.” (On one hand, I want to go to the cinema, but on the other hand, I need to save money.)
• Analysis: This shows contrasting desires using a common structure for balance.
• Example: “En cuanto a la educación, el gobierno ha incrementado el presupuesto.” (Regarding education, the government has increased the budget.)
• Analysis: “En cuanto a” is used to introduce a specific aspect of a broader topic.

Exercises for Practice

Exercise 1: fill in the blanks.

Choose the correct conjunction or connector to complete the sentences.

• “Quiero salir a caminar, _______ está lloviendo.” (pero/sino)
• “_______ termines tus deberes, podemos ver una película.” (Cuando/Si)
• “No solo es inteligente, _______ también es muy amable.” (sino/además)

Exercise 2: Sentence Construction

Construct sentences using the given conjunctions/connectors.

• Use “sin embargo” to show contrast.
• Create a sentence with “además de” to add information.
• Formulate a sentence using “antes de” indicating a sequence of events.

Exercise 3: Paragraph Structuring

Write a short paragraph about a topic of your choice, using at least three different connectors or conjunctions to structure your argument.

Mastering conjunctions and connectors in Spanish is a vital part of becoming an effective communicator in the language. Through consistent practice and application in various contexts, you can enhance your writing skills, making your arguments more persuasive, your narratives more engaging, and your information more coherent. Remember, language is a tool, and like any tool, its effectiveness depends on how skillfully it’s used.

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Spanish Connectors: And, But, Because (and More)

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How do you say and in Spanish. Or but? What about because? I think it’s pretty clear that these Spanish connectors are extremely important.

Let’s cover some of the most common Spanish connectors.

Most Common Spanish Connectors

Y – and.

This is used exactly like in English.

• Quiero una hamburguesa y una soda por favor. (I want a hamburger and a soda please.)
• Tú y yo vamos a ir al parque. (You and I are going to go to the park.)

Pero – but

Again, also used exactly like in English.

• Estoy en el cine pero hay muchas personas. (I’m in the movie theater but there are a lot of people.)
• Voy a ir al supermercado pero más tarde. (I’m going to go to the supermarket but later.)

Porque – because

This works just like in English as well. Porque also generally is the first think you say when answering a question “¿Por que?” (why?).

• Ella está feliz porque hoy es viernes. (She is happy because today is friday.)
• Matías no quiere levantarse porque tiene sueño. (Matias doesn’t want to get up because he’s tired.)

Entonces – so

This is used to express the consequence of a certain situation. Unlike in English, you would not say something is “so cool” (very cool). You would use “muy” (very) for that.

• Ella estaba triste entonces yo estaba hablando con ella. (She was sad so I was talking to her.)
• Adriana tenía mucho tiempo entonces caminó a trabajo. (Adriana had a lot of time so she walked to work.)

Por ejemplo – for instance/for example

This is a very commonly used expression in Spanish. We use it when we want to give examples about a certain topic or situation.

• Me gustan los cocteles por ejemplo los mojitos. (I like coctails, for example , mojitos.)
• Quiero ir de vacaciones por ejemplo a la playa. (I want to go on vacation, for example to the beach.)

Después – after

Después is used exactly like after in English.

• Voy al trabajo después del desayuno. (I’m going to work after breakfast.)
• Voy a caminar, después voy al gimnasio. (I’m going to walk, after that I’ll go to the gym.)

Así como – as well as

This connector is used to compare two things, expressing equality between them.

• Tu familia es agradable, así como tú. (Your family is friendly, as well as you.)
• Me gustan los vegetales así como las frutas. (I like vegetables as well as fruit).

Incluso – even/including

Incluso is used to include something in a certain group.

• Las arañas son venenosas, incluso si son pequeñas. (Spiders are venomous, even if they are small.)
• Ir al odontólogo es importante, incluso si te cepillas los dientes. (Going to the dentist is important even if you brush your teeth.)

Por eso – that’s why

This is just like “that’s why” in English.

• Acabo de almorzar, por eso no quiero galletas. (I just ate lunch, that’s why I don’t want cookies.)
• Necesito llegar temprano, por eso me voy a ir en taxi. (I need to arrive early, that’s why I’m going to go in a taxi.)

Desde – since / hasta – until/to

Desde – hasta are used to mention the starting and ending time of an action.

• Hay 3 km desde mi casa hasta la tuya. (There are 3 km from my house to yours.)
• Trabajo desde el lunes hasta el viernes. (I work from monday until friday.)

Finalmente – finally

We use this connector when a situation you were expecting is taking place or will take place soon.

• Vamos a jugar, finalmente paró de llover. (Let’s play, it finally stopped raining.)
• Vamos a cenar, finalmente iremos al nuevo restaurante. (Let’s have dinner, I’ll finally go to the new restaurant.)

Mientras – meanwhile/while

Used when you want to talk about a situation that is happening at the same time as other situation also mentioned.

• Tú vas por la comida mientras yo compro los boletos. (You buy the food while I buy the tickets)
• Él lavó los platos, mientras yo estudiaba. (He cleaned the plates while I studied).

Luego = then/later

We use this just like “then” in English.

Note: luego is also used as “later” in some situations (e.g. hasta luego, see you later).

• Fuimos a comprar comida y luego regresamos a casa. (We went to buy food then came back home.)
• Voy a ir al gimnasio luego , primero tengo una reunión. (I’m going to go to the gym later , first I have a meeting.)

Aunque = although

This is used just like “although” in English.

• Esa casa es bonita, aunque muy cara. (That house is very beautiful, although very expensive.)
• Tengo frío, aunque no quiero usar ese suéter. (I’m cold, although I don’t want to wear that sweater.)

Spanish Connectors Quiz

For more practice outside of these exercises, get our private flashcards for free here .

1. Quiero comprar un auto ____________ no tengo suficiente dinero.

a. Finalmente b. Incluso c. Así como d. Pero.

2. Me gusta escalar ______________ mi esposo corre.

a. Aunque b. Por ejemplo c. Mientras d. Pero

3. Me gusta el helado _________ que yo era pequeño.

a. Desde b. Entonces c. Después d. Por eso

4.El niño llora pero ______________ se calma.

a. Porque b. Y c. Luego d. Por eso

5. ________________ me case con mi novia.

a. Incluso b. Finalmente c. Así como d. Hasta

Complete with the correct connector.

• Quiero ir al cine _______ no tengo dinero.
• Debo llegar temprano al trabajo __________ saldré de casa antes.
• Voy a caminar, __________ tomaré una ducha.
• Estudiar español en BaseLang es mejor ___________ aprendes ____ te diviertes.
• Voy a ir con Joaquín _____ Karina.
• Me gusta ir a comprar ________________ ropa, zapatos, perfumes.
• Voy a ir al gimnasio, _______________voy a desayunar.
• Voy a salir del trabajo _____________ son las cinco.
• Voy a comer brócoli __________ no me guste.
• Creo que los perros son hermosos, _____________ los de la calle.
• Me gustan los helados ___________ los chocolates.
• Quiero aprender español __________________ estudio mucho.
• Tengo libre ________ el viernes ________ el lunes.
• Voy a preparar la ensalada __________ está lista la sopa.
• porque / y.
• por ejemplo.
• finalmente.
• desde / hasta.

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(A Lot) More Spanish Connectors

Here are some more Spanish connectors that aren’t used quite as often.

Consequence

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October 23, 2023 · Featured , Learn Spanish

Spanish Connectors: List of the Most Common Ones

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Spanish connectors , also known as linking words or conjunctions, play a crucial role in creating a coherent and fluid conversation in Spanish. In this article, we will explore the most common Spanish connectors that you need to know to enhance your language skills. Whether you are just starting to learn Spanish or looking to improve your vocabulary, mastering these connectors will greatly improve your ability to express yourself clearly and effectively.

Key Takeaways:

• Spanish connectors , also known as linking words or conjunctions, are essential for creating a coherent conversation in Spanish.
• Mastering common Spanish connectors will greatly improve your ability to express yourself clearly and effectively.
• Spanish connectors help create logical connections between ideas, show contrast, add information, express conditions, and summarize ideas.
• Using Spanish connectors will make your speech more coherent, engage your listeners, and convey your thoughts effectively.
• In addition to the most common Spanish connectors , there are also specialized connectors for specific situations or contexts.

Why Spanish Connectors are Important

Spanish connectors play a vital role in language fluency and effective communication. Understanding the importance of using Spanish connectors can greatly enhance your language skills and allow you to express yourself clearly and coherently. Here are some key benefits of learning and utilizing Spanish connectors:

• Enhanced Coherence: Spanish connectors create logical connections between ideas, sentences, and paragraphs, enabling a smooth flow of conversation. They help you express cause and effect, show contrast, add information, express conditions, and summarize ideas. By using Spanish connectors, you can make your speech more coherent and engage your listeners.
• Improved Clarity: Using Spanish connectors allows you to convey your thoughts effectively and express complex ideas with precision. They help you structure your sentences and highlight the relationship between different concepts. This enhances clarity and ensures that your message is easily understood by others.
• Boosted Confidence: Mastering Spanish connectors can boost your confidence in speaking Spanish. When you have a strong command of connectors, you can express yourself with ease, navigate conversations effortlessly, and effectively convey your thoughts and opinions.

Overall, learning Spanish connectors is essential for effective communication in the language. They not only improve your language fluency but also make your speech more engaging, coherent, and confident.

Putting Theory into Practice

Now that you understand why Spanish connectors are important, it’s time to put your knowledge into practice. Engage in conversations with native Spanish speakers, actively incorporating connectors to create coherence in your speech. Practice using connectors in different contexts and become more comfortable with their usage. The more you practice, the more natural and confident you’ll become in your Spanish communication.

Most Common Spanish Connectors for Presenting and Connecting Ideas

In order to have a smooth and cohesive conversation in Spanish, it is important to connect your ideas and arguments effectively. Spanish connectors, also known as linking phrases or conjunctions, play a vital role in creating logical connections between sentences and paragraphs. They help you present new ideas, add information, and show contrast, among other functions. By mastering the most common Spanish connectors for presenting and connecting ideas, you can enhance your communication skills and make your conversation more coherent and engaging.

Below are some of the most frequently used Spanish connectors for presenting and connecting ideas:

• “Es más” (Moreover): This connector is used to add additional information or arguments to support your main point.
• “Por otro lado” (On the other hand): This connector introduces a contrasting idea or perspective.
• “De hecho” (In fact): This connector is used to provide evidence or confirm a previously mentioned fact.
• “Sumado a” (Added to): This connector is used to add more information or arguments to strengthen your point.
• “Sobre todo” (Above all): This connector emphasizes a particular point or idea as the most important.

By incorporating these Spanish connectors into your speech, you can create a clear and structured flow of ideas in your conversation, making it easier for your listeners to follow and understand your train of thought.

Learning and using these Spanish connectors will greatly improve your ability to express yourself clearly and effectively in conversations. They add coherence, structure, and depth to your speech, making it more engaging and impactful. Practice incorporating these connectors into your Spanish conversations to enhance your language skills and become a more confident communicator.

Spanish Connectors for Expressing Emphasis

When communicating in Spanish, it is important to emphasize certain points or ideas to convey your thoughts with clarity and conviction. Spanish connectors for expressing emphasis can help you achieve this goal, making your speech more impactful and engaging. Two commonly used connectors for expressing emphasis in Spanish are “Más bien” (Rather) and “Mejor dicho” (Better said).

“Más bien” is often used to correct or clarify a previous statement. It allows you to present an alternative view or opinion. For example, if someone says, “Hace mucho frío” (It’s very cold), you can respond with “Más bien hace calor” (Actually, it’s hot).

“Mejor dicho” is used when you want to rephrase or further explain a previous statement. It helps you provide a clearer or more accurate description. For instance, if you say, “Me gusta viajar” (I like to travel), you can add “Mejor dicho, me encanta explorar nuevos lugares” (Better said, I love to explore new places).

Benefits of Using Spanish Connectors for Emphasis

By incorporating Spanish connectors for emphasis into your conversation, you can effectively highlight specific points, add nuance to your speech, and express your thoughts more confidently. These connectors enable you to steer the direction of the conversation, emphasize important details, and engage your listeners on a deeper level. Moreover, using connectors for emphasis showcases your mastery of the language and enhances your overall communication skills in Spanish.

Mastering Spanish connectors for emphasis will allow you to express your ideas with precision, assertiveness, and impact. Incorporating these connectors into your speech will help you stand out as a confident and effective communicator in the Spanish language.

Spanish Connectors for Cause and Effect

In Spanish, connectors for cause and effect are essential for expressing the relationship between actions and their consequences. These connectors allow you to explain the reason behind specific events or actions, and to discuss the effect or outcome that follows. By using these connectors, you can make your speech more coherent, logical, and persuasive. Here are some commonly used Spanish connectors for cause and effect :

• Porque – Because
• Así que – So
• Por lo tanto – Therefore
• Por eso – That’s why

These connectors enable you to establish a clear cause and effect relationship in your conversation, making it easier for your listeners to understand your point of view. Let’s take a look at some examples:

“No pude llegar a tiempo porque había mucho tráfico.” “I couldn’t arrive on time because there was a lot of traffic.”

In this example, the connector “ porque ” is used to explain the cause (heavy traffic) that led to the effect (not being able to arrive on time).

With these Spanish connectors for cause and effect , you can communicate the relationship between actions and their consequences with clarity and precision. Enhance your language skills by incorporating these connectors into your Spanish conversations and make your speech more impactful.

Spanish Connectors for Expressing Conditions

Expressing conditions in Spanish is important for setting plans, negotiating, or explaining hypothetical situations. The most commonly used Spanish connectors for expressing conditions are “Si” (If) and “Solo si” (Only if). These connectors introduce a condition and indicate the action that will occur if that condition is met or not met. Mastering these connectors will enable you to communicate your needs and preferences effectively in various situations.

In Spanish, the connector “Si” is used to express a general condition or possibility. For example:

“Si llueve, vamos a cancelar el picnic.” (If it rains, we will cancel the picnic.)

The connector “Solo si” is used to express a specific condition that must be met for a particular action to occur. For example:

“Solo si terminas tu tarea, podrás salir a jugar.” (Only if you finish your homework, you can go out to play.)

By using these connectors, you can clearly express the conditions under which certain actions or events will take place, allowing for effective communication and understanding in Spanish.

Spanish Connectors for Contrasting Ideas

When engaging in conversations in Spanish, it is essential to be able to express contrasting ideas effectively. Doing so allows you to showcase different perspectives, highlight alternatives, and engage in meaningful discussions. To help you convey contrasts in your speech, here are some commonly used Spanish connectors for contrasting ideas:

• Pero (But) – This connector is used to present a contrasting idea or viewpoint. It indicates a shift in the direction of the conversation and helps to emphasize differences between two concepts or arguments.
• Sin embargo (However) – Similar to “but,” this connector is used to introduce a contrasting idea or viewpoint. It suggests a contradiction to the previous statement or argument.
• Aunque (Although) – This connector is used to express a contrast between two ideas that may seem contradictory. It conveys the notion of “despite” and allows you to present an unexpected or surprising viewpoint.
• En cambio (On the other hand) – By using this connector, you can introduce an opposing idea or perspective. It is particularly useful for highlighting a different aspect of a topic or presenting an alternative viewpoint.

These Spanish connectors for contrasting ideas enable you to express nuances, opinions, and alternative viewpoints in your conversations. By incorporating them into your speech, you can add depth and richness to your discussions, making them more engaging and thought-provoking.

Spanish Connectors for Temporal Relationships

When it comes to expressing temporal relationships in Spanish , mastering the use of connectors is essential. These connectors help indicate the sequence of events or actions in time, allowing you to tell stories, describe processes, or simply talk about what happened when. By incorporating these connectors into your speech, you can make your narrative more engaging and cohesive.

Here are some commonly used Spanish connectors for expressing temporal relationships:

• Entonces (Then): This connector is used to indicate an action that occurs after another action or event.
• Antes (Before): Use this connector to express an action or event that happened prior to another.
• Después (After): When you want to talk about an action or event that occurs following another, this connector is the one to use.
• Mientras (While): This connector is used to express actions or events that happen simultaneously or concurrently.

By employing these connectors, you can provide a clear timeline of events and enhance the flow of your Spanish conversations. Whether you’re recounting a personal experience or discussing historical events, these connectors will help you keep your audience engaged and captivated.

As you can see, these connectors provide context and clarity to your Spanish conversations. So, the next time you want to talk about events in chronological order or discuss simultaneous actions, remember to incorporate these connectors for a more cohesive and impactful communication experience.

Spanish Connectors for Summarizing and Concluding

When it comes to summarizing and concluding in Spanish, there are several connectors that can help you wrap up your thoughts and leave a lasting impression on your listeners. These connectors not only provide a concise summary of your main points but also help convey a sense of finality and closure. Here are some commonly used Spanish connectors for summarizing and concluding:

• En resumen (In summary): This connector is used to provide a brief overview or recap of the main points discussed.
• Por lo general (Generally): Use this connector to express a general conclusion or observation based on the information presented.
• En conclusión (In conclusion ): This connector is commonly used to signal the end of a speech or presentation and summarize the main ideas.
• Por último (Finally): Use this connector to signal the last point or idea in a series and bring your conversation to a close.

By incorporating these connectors into your speech, you can effectively summarize your thoughts and make a strong concluding statement. Whether you are giving a formal presentation, writing an essay, or engaging in a casual conversation, using these connectors will help you leave a lasting impact on your audience.

Here is a visual representation of the Spanish connectors for summarizing and concluding:

These connectors will not only help you organize your thoughts but also enhance your language skills in Spanish. Practice using them in different contexts to become a more confident and effective Spanish communicator.

More Spanish Connectors for Specific Situations

While the most common Spanish connectors are essential for everyday conversations, there are also specialized connectors that can help you navigate specific situations or contexts. These additional Spanish connectors will allow you to express opinions, provide examples, or engage in social interactions with finesse. Incorporating these connectors into your speech will not only enhance your language skills but also make a stronger impact on your audience.

Spanish Connectors for Opinions:

• “En mi opinión” (In my opinion)
• “Según yo” (According to me)
• “Personalmente” (Personally)
• “Creo que” (I believe that)

These connectors are useful when expressing your thoughts and viewpoints on a particular topic or issue. They allow you to assert your opinion confidently and engage in meaningful discussions.

Spanish Connectors for Examples:

• “Por ejemplo” (For example)
• “Como” (Like)
• “Un caso concreto es” (A specific case is)
• “En el caso de” (In the case of)

When you want to provide illustrations or support your ideas with concrete examples, these connectors will help you do so effectively. They enable you to clarify your point and make it more relatable to your listeners.

Spanish Connectors for Social Interactions:

• “Por cierto” (By the way)
• “Perdona” (Excuse me)
• “Con permiso” (May I come in?)
• “Gracias” (Thank you)

These connectors are crucial for navigating social interactions in Spanish-speaking countries. They allow you to engage politely, express gratitude, and show respect in various situations.

Spanish connectors are essential for creating coherence and structure in your Spanish communication. By mastering these connectors, you can convey your thoughts effectively, engage your listeners, and sound more fluent in Spanish. Whether you are a beginner or looking to improve your language skills, incorporating these common Spanish connectors into your speech will greatly enhance your ability to express yourself clearly and confidently.

Throughout this article, we have explored the most common Spanish connectors for presenting and connecting ideas, expressing emphasis, indicating cause and effect, expressing conditions, contrasting ideas, indicating temporal relationships, and summarizing and concluding. These connectors, such as “Es más” (Moreover), “Más bien” (Rather), and “Porque” (Because), enable you to add coherence, structure, and impact to your conversations in Spanish.

Additionally, we have highlighted that there are also specialized connectors for specific situations, such as “Por ejemplo” (For example) and “Por cierto” (By the way), which can help you navigate social interactions, express opinions, or provide examples. By incorporating these connectors into your speech, you can tailor your communication to specific contexts and make a stronger impact on your audience.

Start your Spanish immersion experience with Vamos Academy, your Spanish immersion school in Buenos Aires , and online. With our expert teachers and immersive approach, you can practice using these connectors in real-life situations, enhance your vocabulary, and develop your confidence in speaking Spanish online . Take the first step towards becoming a fluent Spanish communicator and unlock new opportunities for personal and professional growth.

What are Spanish connectors?

Spanish connectors, also known as linking words or conjunctions, are words or phrases that are used to create logical connections between ideas, sentences, and paragraphs in Spanish.

Why are Spanish connectors important?

Spanish connectors are important because they help improve the coherence and structure of your Spanish communication. They allow you to express cause and effect, show contrast, add information, express conditions, summarize ideas, and more.

What are some common Spanish connectors for presenting and connecting ideas?

Some common Spanish connectors for presenting and connecting ideas include “Es más” (Moreover), “Por otro lado” (On the other hand), “De hecho” (In fact), “Sumado a” (Added to), and “Sobre todo” (Above all).

How can I express emphasis in Spanish?

You can express emphasis in Spanish by using connectors such as “Más bien” (Rather) and “Mejor dicho” (Better said).

What Spanish connectors can I use to express cause and effect?

Spanish connectors for cause and effect include “Porque” (Because), “Así que” (So), “Por lo tanto” (Therefore), and “Por eso” (That’s why).

How do I express conditions in Spanish?

You can express conditions in Spanish using connectors like “Si” (If) and “Solo si” (Only if).

What Spanish connectors can I use to show contrasting ideas?

Spanish connectors for contrasting ideas include “Pero” (But), “Sin embargo” (However), “Aunque” (Although), and “En cambio” (On the other hand).

How can I indicate temporal relationships in Spanish?

You can indicate temporal relationships in Spanish using connectors like “Entonces” (Then), “Antes” (Before), “Después” (After), and “Mientras” (While).

What Spanish connectors can I use to summarize and conclude?

Spanish connectors for summarizing and concluding include “En resumen” (In summary), “Por lo general” (Generally), “En conclusión” (In conclusion), and “Por último” (Finally).

Are there any specialized Spanish connectors?

Yes, there are specialized Spanish connectors that can be used in specific situations or contexts. Some examples include “Por ejemplo” (For example), “Por cierto” (By the way), and “Aun así” (Still).

What is the benefit of mastering Spanish connectors?

Mastering Spanish connectors will greatly enhance your language skills, improve your ability to express yourself clearly and effectively, and boost your confidence in speaking Spanish.

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Using Transition Words in Spanish

To sound natural when writing in Spanish, it is important to use conectores ( transition words ). Transition words link your ideas together, allowing them to flow smoothly from one sentence to the next.

There are many types of transition words you can use when you are writing in Spanish. Let’s take a closer look!

Sequence and Order

The following transition words help us arrange ideas, events, and reasons according to their order of importance or to the order in which they happened chronologically .

Let’s put some of these into context!

Cause and Effect

Use these transition words to make a connection between cause and effect .

Let’s take a look at some examples!

Addition and Agreement

The following transition words add information , express agreement , and reinforce relationships and ideas that came before .

Check out these examples!

Examples, Emphasis, and Clarification

The following transitions are used to introduce examples as support , emphasize a particular fact , or explain a point .

Use these transition words to connect two things by focusing on their differences .

Here are some examples!

Summarizing and Concluding

These transition words can be used to conclude an argument or to summarize ideas .

Want more tips on writing in Spanish? Check out these articles!

• Spanish Punctuation
• Advanced Spanish Punctuation
• Spanish Words to Use in an Essay
• How to Write a Letter in Spanish
• Ace the AP Spanish Exam

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Connectives

How to spot spanish connectives, types of connectives in spanish grammar.

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What are connectives in Spanish grammar?

Connectives (los conectores discursivos u oracionales) are linking words: they connect clauses in a text by creating a logical link between them. In general, connectives organise, connect or reformulate the information in a sentence.

Connectives fall into several different categories; they range from adverbs to prepositions to conjunctions and beyond. Some of the most common Spanish connectives are: sin embargo, en efecto, efectivamente, con todo, por eso, en primer lugar, en segundo lugar, ahora bien, en ese caso, a pesar de ello, por el contrario, etc.

Learn about connectives in Spanish grammar with Lingolia’s exhaustive list of Spanish connectives, then test your knowledge in the exercises.

Querida prima Alba:

Antes de nada , me gustaría felicitarte por tu cumpleaños, pues la semana pasada estuve ocupadísima y no pude llamarte. Sin duda , lo celebrasteis por todo lo alto.

En cualquier caso , tengo muchas ganas de ir a visitarte a Dinamarca. Hace tiempo que no nos vemos. Sin embargo , creo que hasta el verano no tendré tiempo.

Por cierto, ¿te acuerdas que había hecho una entrevista para un trabajo en Bilbao? ¡Lo he conseguido! Me mudaré a principios del mes que viene.

En fin, cuídate mucho y hasta pronto.

Connectives are discourse markers; they act as a guide for the reader or listener and make it easy to follow the thread of a text.

Connectives:

• refer back to information mentioned previously in the text. Example: El verano pasado estuvimos en Chile de vacaciones. Además , visitamos Perú y Ecuador. Last summer we were on holiday in Chile. We also visited Peru and Ecuador.
• are usually made up of more than one word: ahora bien, no obstante, etc. Example: El año pasado tuvimos un verano estupendo. Este año, por el contrario , llueve sin parar. Last year we had a great summer. This year, on the other hand, it’s rained non-stop.
• can appear in different positions in a sentence. Examples: Bilbao es una ciudad pequeña; pese a ello , no le falta movimiento. Bilbao is a small city; in spite of that, there’s no lack of movement. if the connective comes between two related clauses, it’s separated from the first by a full stop (.) or a semi colon (;), and from the second by a comma (,). Bilbao es una ciudad pequeña; no le falta, pese a ello , movimiento. if the connective divides the clause in two it is placed between commas. Bilbao es una ciudad pequeña; no le falta movimiento, pese a ello . If the connective comes at the very end of the clause, it is preceded by a comma.
• can be combined with a conjunction that has the same meaning. Example: He dormido poco y , en consecuencia , estoy muy cansada. I didn’t sleep much, and, as a result, I’m very tired.

We can organise the connectives according to their function in the text. Check out our complete list of Spanish connectives for a thorough overview of the different connectives organised by type and accompanied by examples. Below, you can read more about the different types of connectives along with some of the most common examples.

Adding connectives

Adding connectives (los conectores aditivos) have a cumulative meaning; they add extra information or expand on an idea.

The most common adding connectives in Spanish are: además, también, encima, es más, de hecho. See more in our list of Spanish connectives .

Contrasting connectives

Contrasting connectives (los conectores adversativos) express an opposition or a contrast between two ideas or concepts.

The most common contrasting connectives in Spanish are: en cambio, al contrario, ahora bien, sin embargo, no obstante, aunque. See more in our list of Spanish connectives .

Connectives that express a result

Connectives that express a result (los conectores consecutivos) show that the second clause is a result of the first.

The most common connectives that express a result are: por (lo) tanto, así pues, entonces, en consecuencia, por consiguiente. See more in our list of Spanish connectives .

Explanatory connectives

Explanatory connectives (los conectores explicativos) illustrate or clarify the information in the previous clause.

The most common explanatory connectives in Spanish are: o sea, es decir, esto es, en otras palabras. See more in our list of Spanish connectives .

Connectives that express a concession

Connectives that express a concession (los conectores concesivos) express the idea of despite .

The most common connectives that express a concession in Spanish are: aun así, con todo, de cualquier manera, en cualquier caso . See more in our list of Spanish connectives .

Reformulating connectives

Reformulating connectives (los conectores reformuladores) can bring new arguments, correct, modify or summarise everything said up to that point.

The most common reformulating connectives in Spanish are: dicho de otro modo, en otras palabras, mejor dicho, hablando en plata. See more in our list of Spanish connectives .

Example connectives

Example connectives (los conectores ejemplificativos) introduce an example that illustrates the information mentioned in the previous clause.

The most common example connectives in Spanish are: así, por ejemplo verbigracia . See more in our list of Spanish connectives .

Correcting connectives

Correcting connectives (los conectores rectificativos) correct or modify the information in the preceding clause.

The most common correcting connectives in Spanish are: más bien, mejor dicho . See more in our list of Spanish connectives .

Summarising connectives

Summarising connectives (los conectores recapitulativos) are used to close a text as they introduce a conclusion.

The most common summarising connectives in Spanish are: al fin y al cabo, en resumen, en pocas palabras, en definitiva, total . See more in our list of Spanish connectives .

Sequencing connectives

Sequencing connectives (los conectores de ordenación) allow us to organise information in a sequential manner.

The most common sequencing connectives in Spanish are: antes de nada , en primer lugar, previamente, en ese momento, a continuación, finalmente . See more in our list of Spanish connectives .

Supporting connectives

The supporting connectives (los conectores de apoyo argumentativo) strengthen an argument or reinforce a point.

The most common supporting connectives in Spanish are: pues bien, dicho esto, en vista de ello . See more in our list of Spanish connectives .

Digressing connectives

Digressing connectives (los conectores de digresión) introduce comments that are unrelated to the main topic (digressions).

The most common digressing connectives in Spanish are: por cierto, a propósito, a todo esto, dicho sea de paso. See more in our list of Spanish connectives .

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Spanish connectors: speak like a Spanish Native with these connector words

What are conjunctions or Spanish connectors?

They are powerful words like: entonces, depende de (then, depends on) and similar. They are also the reason why you might be able to create sentences correctly, but you still feel like you can’t use them to talk to people naturally.

In this lesson we’ll go over 4 of the most commonly used connectors, according to me and my Spanish of course. It’s just that I want you to be able to speak like me.

¡Empecemos!

1. Using Spanish connectors in conversations: “entonces” (then)

CARLA Amanda estaba súper emocionada organizando todo. Hasta que Enrique dijo que iba con una amiga nueva. Y entonces Amanda me dijo que no podía ir. (Amanda was super excited getting everything organized. Until Enrique said he was going with a new friend. And then Amanda told me she couldn’t go.) MAURA “¿Y entonces, qué pasó?” ¿Se canceló todo? (“So then what happened?” Is everything canceled?) CARLA No, no. Yo hice mi mejor esfuerzo y me parece que funcionó. Por ahora sí va. (No, no. I did my best and it seems to have worked. For now, she’s going.) MAURA Entonces fue una pataleta y ya. La verdad ha pasado mucho tiempo. Si Enrique está saliendo con alguien, es lo normal. (Then it was a tantrum and that was it. The truth is it’s been a long time. If Enrique is dating someone, it’s normal.) CARLA Sí, pero sabes cómo es Amanda. (Yes, but you know how Amanda is.)

“Entonces” (then) is not a complex concept but in case you haven’t fully discovered its power as a conjunction, or connector, here are more examples of that:

MAURA Tienes que comprarle el regalo, pero las tiendas cierran en media hora. (You have to buy her the gift, but the stores close in half an hour.) CARLA No sé qué hacer entonces, porque no puedo salir todavía. (I don’t know what to do then, because I can’t leave yet.)

As you can see, “entonces” (then) could also mean “así que” (so).

• Buenísimo, entonces le comento a los demás y te confirmo. (Very good, then I’ll tell the others and I’ll confirm.)
• Los pasajes de tren estaban muy caros entonces decidimos alquilar un carro. (The train tickets were very expensive so we decided to rent a car.)

As you saw it in the dialogue, it was used to continue a story:

• Y entonces Amanda me dijo que no podía venir. (And then Amanda told me she couldn’t come.)
• ¿Y entonces, qué pasó? (And then, what happened?)

Very recently one of you guys who always comment on my videos told me you had finally downloaded our free Essential Spanish Chunking kit . Though I was pleased I was also surprised. I mean, I’ve told you so many times! Do you have any idea how hard it is to say “Essential Spanish Chunking kit” in one breath without mistakes?

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2. Practice Spanish grammar using “a menos que” (unless)

CARLA A menos que tú me hagas el favor de comprar el regalo cuando salgas al gimnasio. (Unless you do me the favor of buying the gift when you go out to the gym.) MAURA Siempre y cuando me digas exactamente qué comprar y dónde. (As long as you tell me exactly what to buy and where.) CARLA ¡Claro! Ya lo tengo escogido. Te lo paso por WhatsApp. (Of course! I have already chosen it. I’ll send (Lit.: pass it) to you by WhatsApp.) MAURA Muy bien. (Very good.)

A menos que (Unless) is a great way to practice the subjunctive mood since it’s needed right after that “que” (what). Like this:

• A menos que salga ya , no voy a llegar a tiempo. (Unless I leave now, I’m not going to make it on time.)
• Vamos a llegar tarde a menos que salgamos pronto . (We’re going to be late unless we leave soon.)

Another variation would be to use the perfect subjunctive, which uses the verb “haber” (to have). Check out the following example:

CARLA El paquete debería haber llegado ayer. (The package should have arrived yesterday.) MAURA Yo no escuché el timbre en todo el día. A menos que haya llegado mientras me estaba duchando. (I didn’t hear the doorbell all day. Unless it came while I was taking a shower.)

Also use “a menos que” (unless) to connect someone else’s idea to yours, like:

ACTOR 1 No da tiempo de pedir postre, la película está a punto de empezar. (There is no time to order dessert, the movie is about to start.) ACTOR 2 A menos que lo pidamos para llevar y nos lo comamos en el camino. (Unless we order it to go and eat it on the way there.)

Did you know that the word “igual” (same) can mean “quizás” (maybe) sometimes? It’s weird, I know. We’ll talk about it at the end of the lesson.

3. Common Spanish connector:  “depende de” (depending on)

MAURA Sinceramente, no estoy segura de que pueda ir al gimnasio hoy. Depende de que me confirmen una cosa del trabajo. (Honestly, I’m not sure I can make it to the gym today. It depends on getting something confirmed from work.) CARLA Ya, no te preocupes. Dependiendo de lo que te digan entonces decido qué hacer. (Right, don’t worry. Depending on what they tell you then I’ll decide what to do.) MAURA También puedes pedir algo online y que le llegue a casa aunque sea con retraso. (You can also order something online and have it delivered to her home even if it is belated.) CARLA Si de mi dependiera, haría eso. Pero es que lo que ella quiere no lo conseguí online. (If it were up to me, I would do that. But it’s just that what she wants I couldn’t find it online.)

Guys, it’s very important for us to know which subjects are useful to you. So, do let me know in the video’s comments if covering connectors is one of those things and which other connectors you’d like for us to review. Tipo, hay miles, como: sin embargo, de cualquier manera, puesto que. (Like, there are thousands, such as: however, anyway, since.) So many.

Here’s more examples of using both versions “depende de” (depends on) and “dependiendo de” (depending on):

• Depende del clima si vamos a la montaña o al cine. (It depends on the weather whether we go to the mountains or to the movies.)
• Si dependiera de n osotras, dormiríamos todo el día pero hay que trabajar. (If it were up to us, we would sleep all day but we have to work.)
• No depende de ti, así que no te preocupes. (It doesn’t depend on you, so don’t worry.)
• Nos mudaremos dependiendo del aumento de la renta. (We will move depending on the rent increase.)

4. Using “igual” (same) and synonym words in Spanish

MAURA En el fondo yo creo que le da igual. Le va a gustar lo que sea que le regales. (Deep down I think it’s all the same to her. She’s going to like whatever you give her.) CARLA Es verdad. Pero, igual podría pedir quince minutos en el trabajo y salir corriendo. Y salgo de eso de una vez. (It’s true. But, I might as well ask for 15 minutes at work and run. And get out of it at once.) MAURA ¡Claro! Igual y yo puedo pasar si voy al gimnasio, pero todavía no puedo estar segura. (Sure! Maybe I can pass by if I go to the gym, but I still can’t be sure.) CARLA ¡ Gracias ! Pero voy a avisar en el trabajo y salgo ya. ¡Me cansé! (Thank you! But I’m going to let them know at work and I’ll be right out. I got tired!)

As crazy as it sounds this “igual y” could mean “quizás” (maybe). For example:

• Igual y tienen pizza sin gluten , hay que preguntar. (Maybe they have gluten-free pizza. Let’s ask.)
• Igual y el Airbnb acepta mascotas. Muchos lo hacen. (Maybe the Airbnb allows pets. Many do.)

It can also be a synonym of “ de todas formas” o “de cualquier manera” (anyway). So, if someone pours themselves a coffee and they apologize for not offering it to you, you could say things like:

• Igual no quería , así que no te preocupes. (I didn’t want to anyway, so don’t worry.)
• Igual no tomo café , gracias. (I don’t drink coffee anyway, thanks.)

Conjunctions are meant to connect your ideas and help you with a more fluid speech. On that note you should continue this lesson learning all about how to use the ultimate connector “y” (and) by clicking here .

Happy learning, ¡ gracias por estar aquí y nos vemos! (thank you for being here and see you!)

I'm a Venezuelan actress, writer, filmmaker, editor, translator, immigrant and refugee working as a freelancer in Madrid on everything I love (including teaching and learning English, Spanish and French). I grew up on a small island in the Caribbean, which I love to death, but this is the fourth country I've lived in, and it's not going to be the last. I am a proud nineties human and a fighting Millennial. I'm obsessed with animals, people, physics, representation and anything with cinnamon on it.

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Spanish Transition Words: Simple Guide to Connecting Words

Have you ever had the impression that, when speaking or writing Spanish, your sentences are independent thoughts that don’t seem to flow? Don’t worry. This happens to many learners! To improve your coherence and fluency, you must learn transition words in Spanish. 

Whether it’s for an essay or a conversation, linking your ideas together is fundamental to sounding cohesive and coherent. Since they help you achieve this, in this guide, you’ll learn how to use connecting words and transitional phrases in Spanish. 

Here is an overview of the topics we’ll cover:

• What Are Transition Words & How Do They Work
• To add information
• To explain cause and effect
• To describe opposition or contrast
• To explain or provide examples
• To emphasize an idea
• To express purpose
• To describe sequence and time
• To express similarity

What Are Spanish Transition Words?

Spanish transition words, also called transitional, connecting, or linking words, have a primary function: to connect ideas and describe the relation between them.

Confused? Let’s see an example.

Charlotte está enojada. Rompí su teléfono. Charlotte is mad. I broke her phone.

The example above expresses two ideas. #1 Charlotte is mad, and #2 I broke her phone. Is there a connection between these facts? Yes! But since it’s unclear, I’m forcing you to make that assumption.

Things will sound more fluid and make more sense if you use a Spanish transition word to express causation (cause and effect). 

Charlotte está enojada porque rompí su teléfono . Charlotte is mad because I broke her phone .

With this rewritten example, ‘porque’ (because) is the connecting word, linking the two ideas together. Now the reason why Charlotte is mad is perfectly clear.

So, Spanish transition words link your ideas together while describing how those ideas relate to each other. Since connecting words in Spanish can be used to link ideas, sentences, or paragraphs together, they help others understand what you’re saying.

Take Note: Connectors in Spanish can be made by one word, such as porque. However, transitional phrases are built with two or more words . For example, ‘ya que’, ‘debido a’ or ‘a cause de’, are all more complex ways of saying ‘because’.

List of Connecting Words in Spanish

Connecting words in Spanish are classified based on the type of relationship they express. 

• Cause and effect

Explanation or examples

Sequence and time, similarity .

In the sections below, you’ll find lists with common transition words and phrases in Spanish and examples of how to use them. 

Tip: Transition words in Spanish are often associated with writing essays. But you’d also use these connectors in daily conversations.  

As its name suggests, Spanish transitional words of addition allow you to introduce new information .

Lucas dobló la ropa, también preparó la cena . Lucas folded the clothes; he also prepared dinner .

No pude venir porque estaba ocupada. Además , me sentía mal . I couldn’t come because I was busy. Also , I was feeling sick .

Cause and effect or Reason

As shown at the beginning of this article, this type of Spanish transitional word helps you describe the cause and effect of an action or behavior. 

Llegué tarde debido al tráfico . I’m late due to the traffic .

Carlos está enfermo, así que no vendrá esta noche . Carlos is sick, so he won’t be coming tonight .

Mañana es día feriado. Por lo tanto , no se trabaja . Tomorrow is a public holiday. Therefore, people don’t have to work .

Take Note: Just as in English, some transitional words in Spanish may be more formal than others. 

Contrast or opposition 

Spanish transition words of contrast express an opposite relationship between ideas. When writing essays, these words are helpful to contrast ideas, theories or someone’s position about a certain issue.  

Me gustaría ir, pero tengo trabajo . I would like to go, but I have work to do .

Aunque te cueste trabajo , debes practicar tu español. Although it may be difficult , you should practice your Spanish.

Samantha se distrae fácilmente. Sin embargo , sus calificaciones son buenas . Samantha gets easily distracted. However, her grades are good .

Tip: In Spanish, these transition words can be placed at the beginning or the middle of a sentence. Notice that, if they start the sentence, they are always followed by commas. 

Whether you’re writing or having a conversation, sometimes you need to explain or clarify what you’re saying. To do this, you can use the following transition words and phrases in Spanish:

Cocinar es muy difícil. Mejor dicho , a mí me cuesta mucho trabajo . Cooking is very difficult. Or rather , it’s very difficult for me .

El libro relata hechos fantásticos, es decir , hechos que no son reales . The book tells fantastic stories, meaning , unreal facts .

Creo que todos podemos ayudar. Por ejemplo , yo puedo limpiar la casa . I think we all can help. For example, I can clean the house .

Take Note: In Mexican Spanish , o sea is a popular filler word. 

As their name suggests, these Spanish connecting words are used to emphasize important ideas that people should pay attention to. 

Sin duda, este año fue muy difícil para todos . Without a doubt , this year was difficult for all of us .

Me gustan mucho las películas, especialmente, las de terror . I like movies very much, especially horror movies .

When it comes to transition words for essays and formal writing in Spanish, terms and phrases that express purposes are very important because they help you describe the goal of the text itself or a section within it.  

Some examples of these transitional words include:

Incluí ejemplos con el fin de que este artículo sea más fácil de entender . I included examples in order to make this article easier to understand .

El objetivo de este artículo es enseñarte a usar conectores en español . The purpose of this article is to teach how to use connectors in Spanish .

Spanish transition words and phrases also allow you to describe the order or sequence of your ideas or the time when specific actions occur. These connections are helpful when you need to establish chronological order or the steps of a process.

Here are some examples of these words: 

Primero encuentra tus llaves y, después , nos podemos ir. First , find your keys and , then , we can leave. 

Finalmente, los resultados encontrados no prueban… Finally , the results found do not prove…

Por último, me gustaría mencionar… Lastly, I would like to mention…

If you need to point out similarities between two ideas or paragraphs, you can use the following Spanish connectors:

Estos celulares son igualmente buenos. These phones are equally good.

De igual manera , todos tienen que entregar su proyecto. Likewise, every one must deliver their project.

Take Note: In Spanish, igualmente is also used as a response to ‘ nice to meet you ’ or ‘ have a nice day ’. 

Transition words in Spanish are necessary to have a more fluid and natural conversation. 

Entonces, don’t be afraid to use them! (See what I did there?). Here are some key points you should keep in mind:

• Transition words connect ideas and explain how those ideas relate to each other. 
• Add new information
• Describe cause and effect
• Contrast two ideas
• Provide explanations and introduce examples
• Emphasize ideas
• Express the purpose of a text or section
• Describe the sequence your ideas follow
• Point out the similarities between two or more ideas
• These words and phrases are mostly placed at the beginning or middle of a sentence.
• Unless they’re followed by a preposition, transition words that start a new sentence or paragraph must be accompanied by a comma . 

Now that you know this new vocabulary, it’s time for you to go and apply it! ¡ Buena suerte!

Daniela Sanchez

¡Hola! Soy Daniela Sanchez, I've been studying Spanish professionally as well as teaching it in Mexico and online for over 10 years. I’ve taught Spanish to a wide array of foreigners from many backgrounds. Over the years, I've made it my mission to work hard on refining many challenging to understand grammar topics to make my students' learning experiences easier, faster and more enjoyable. Read More About Me

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Use These 24 Spanish Connectors to Sound Like a Native Speaker (Audio Guide Included)

When learning a foreign language like Spanish, one of the most underrated ways to sound more like a native speaker is by connecting words and sentences with locuciones conjuntivas , or Spanish connectors.

They’re the words that make logical connections between what you’re saying and provide clarity, in any language.

They can be simple words like and or but , but also multi-word connectors, like:

• I like my independence. On the other hand , I would like some help learning Spanish . (por otro lado)
• I’m looking to improve my Spanish. That’s why I’m reading this article. (por eso)
• “ Since I want to actually be able to speak Spanish in conversations, I started learning chunks instead of words and grammar rules .” (Visto que) (Seriously. You should.)

Such connector words not only make you sound more fluent; they also give you more confidence to speak and help your conversation partner understand your train of thoughts, even if your Spanish isn’t perfect yet.

In fact, it fits perfectly into my “ Spanish for Beginners ” strategy to get fluent fast.

That’s why I created this article, which will help you add 24 Spanish connectors to your arsenal that’ll help you ace those conversations in Spanish.

(See what I did there?)

¡Empecemos!

PS: There are some very basic connectors (or conjunctions) like y (and) and o (or); those are covered in a separate article on Spanish conjunctions . If you’re a complete beginner, start there. If you’re ready to sound even more natural when speaking Spanish, this is the article for you.

1. Spanish Connecting Phrases to Present and Connect Ideas

Whenever you’re in a conversation with someone, it’s important to connect new ideas or arguments smoothly. Otherwise, you might lose your audience’s attention. Even, if you’re telling a story, it’ll help you keep listeners engaged.

There are plenty of these Spanish connecting phrases but here you’ll learn just the most common and important ones.

The most common Spanish connectors

There are other lists of Spanish connectors on the internet, but they often don’t come with example sentences. Let’s fix that and use those Spanish connector words in some day-to-day situations and scenarios that might come up when visiting Spanish-speaking countries.

Spanish connectors in everyday situations

All of these chunks can be helpful when traveling or when having a conversation with some Spanish-speaking individual. At first sight, they seem long and difficult but we can assure you that with only a couple of minutes of practice, you’ll be ready to have a pretty smooth conversation.

De hecho, if you feel overwhelmed by longer Spanish sentences , it might be worth it to learn fixed word combinations (we call them chunks ) as a whole instead of focusing on single words, like hacer una reservación (make a reservation), or mucho gusto (nice to meet you).

Learning chunks has been the single most effective strategy for me to not just learn Spanish, German, and other languages, but also speak them without translating in my head.

It’s been equally helpful to the hundreds of thousands of students who took a Conversation Based Chunking™ workshop to accelerate their language learning .

If you seek to learn more about learning Spanish through chunking, you can request your free Spanish Chunking Starter Pack. It comes with a chunking tutorial, flashcard decks, demo lessons, walkthrough videos, and other recommended resources.

Anyway. Onwards!

2. Spanish Connecting Chunks to Express Emphasis

Expressing emphasis in Spanish is important to explain your thoughts more clearly. In this section, you’ll show you just two Spanish connector words that are among the most used by native Spanish speakers.

Watch any video, movie, series, or listen to native speakers speak in real life or on a Spanish podcast , and you’ll hear those all the time.

Spanish connector chunks to express emphasis

These two Spanish connectors are amazing to highlight something and explain better what you want to say. For example, when you visit a doctor and you need to explain your symptoms. Or, when you are eating at a restaurant and you need to provide specific instructions about what you want to eat.

Let’s see some other Spanish chunks to use in these situations.

Más bien and mejor dicho in other situations

As you may see, these chunks will come in handy not only in emergencies but when having a seat at some place to eat and communicating what you want to eat. After all, most Spanish learners find it difficult to order something to eat.

For that reason, they just stick to basic things like Hamburgers, nuggets, or something they may find in their hometown.

Keep in mind that if you visit a Spanish-speaking country, there are several delicious alternatives to having a great meal. And,  you probably won’t find those kinds of dishes are your hometown. Por eso (that’s why) it’s always good to improve your Spanish skills and open up to whole new gastronomy.

Por cierto (by the way): if you’d like to see many of these connectors in action, here’s a video from Spring Spanish (a Spanish YouTube channel and learning platform I co-founded) where teacher Paulisima tells a story in Spanish about a trip to Singapore. Good listening practice.

See if you can spot some connectors.

3. Spanish Connecting Chunks to Express Cause and Effect

In some situations, expressing cause and effect might become an essential thing to do when speaking Spanish. Let’s imagine a scenario where something happens but you don’t know how to explain why it happened.  

Using Spanish connectors to add up ideas to express cause is a wonderful alternative to achieve your goal.

Some of these Spanish connectors are shown below.

Spanish connectors to express cause and effect

Please note that most of the causal connectors use the preposition “ que ”. In this context, “ que ” will help us keep two sentences and ideas connected without losing the meaning of the whole structure.

Now, let’s see some other chunks that’ll help you in your daily life.

More Spanish chunks to use in everyday situations

Don’t forget that if you speak to someone you don’t know, you should use “ usted ” and keep a formal/respectful speaking tone. The third Spanish phrase shown above is a great example of this.

4. Spanish Connecting Phrases to Express Conditions

Expressing conditions is important even more when you’re negotiating or setting plans to travel. It will help you get what you want, from the right accommodation to the right services and supplies. There are many ways of expressing conditions in Spanish.

But, the most used Spanish connector is “ si ” (if) and “ solo si ” (only if). Thus, if you want to get a Native-speaker Spanish level, you’ll definitely keep these under your sleeve.

Let’s look at some Spanish chunks using these two connectors.

Spanish connector chunks to express conditions

5. Spanish Connecting Chunks to Make Comparisons

Finally, we have some Spanish connector words that will help you make comparisons and express your ideas with ease. They might help you when visiting a new store and you’re looking for a product similar to the one you’ve seen before.

Making comparisons can even help you sound more interesting and keep everyone paying attention to what you’re saying.

Spanish connectors to express comparisons

Below, you’ll find some Spanish phrases that will help you face some day-to-day tourist challenges when visiting Spanish-speaking countries.

Spanish phrases to use in day-to-day tourist challenges

6. Mastering Spanish Connectors: Enhance Your Speech and Conversations Like a Native

Generally speaking, Spanish connectors help us lead the conversation to where we want and need. With these Spanish connectors, you can not only improve your speeches but express many things. For example, conditions,  cause, add new ideas, contrast, and make comparisons. Keep in mind that you can start your statements with all of these connecting chunks. But, if you want to connect two statements, you would use the connecting phrase between the main argument and the secondary statement.

To continue your journey, make sure to request your Spanish Chunking Starter Pack so you’re not just learning connector words, but entire Spanish sentences start rolling off your tongue when speaking with native speakers… all without translating in your head 🙂

Lukas is the founder of Effortless Conversations and the creator of the Conversation Based Chunking™ method for learning languages. He's a linguist and wrote a popular book about learning languages through "chunks". He also co-founded the language education company Spring Languages, which creates online language courses and YouTube content.

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40+ Spanish Conversational Connectors To Improve Fluency

• Read time 14 mins

It’s not always easy to make a conversation flow naturally, particularly when speaking a language that you haven’t mastered.

So, what’s the best way to impress Spanish speakers and ensure your conversation flows smoothly?

Knowing your Spanish conversational connectors is one of the best ways to do this.

Although the list below is long, there are some Spanish conversational connectors that you’ll use more frequently than others.

What are Spanish conversational connectors?

Spanish conversational connectors are small words or short phrases that link sentences together and help Spanish speakers to engage in your conversations.

To help you understand what a Spanish conversational connector is, it helps to know that some examples of English conversational connectors are “and”, “but” and “although”.

A group of sentences that lack conversational connectors can sound disjointed or disconnected since they stop and start so frequently.

If you’ve found that your conversations sound a bit elementary, perhaps you need to use more Spanish conversational connectors.

With this in mind, let’s go ahead and start the list.

Spanish conversational connectors

Here are the conversational connectors you should keep in mind when expressing yourself in spoken or written Spanish.

Do you recognise any of these?

This one-letter Spanish conversational connector is pronounced “ee” and means “and” in English.

Usage example:

A mí me gustan el chocolate negro y el chocolate blanco.

Another one-letter Spanish conversational connector is o . O means “or” and is pronounced as a short “o” sound, like the letter o in “otter”.

A tí te gusta viajar en avión o en tren?

Use para when you want to say “for” in Spanish. There are particular situations when you should use para and when you should use por , so take a look at our article por vs para to get the gist.

Sofía ha comprado una flor para su abuela.

It’s true that por means “for” just as para does. Use por when you want to say “because of” or “through” in Spanish.

Sofía ha pasado por la calle Real.

Aún means “not yet” and can be used in similar examples to its English equivalent. Sometimes you might hear Spanish speakers adding a no to the word aún .

Has terminado la tarea?

The meaning of this short Spanish conversational connector is “nor”. It can be used to rule out something or two options when speaking.

No voy a viajar en avión ni en coche.

Use the Spanish conversational connector todavía when you want to say “yet” in Spanish. It can also mean “still”.

Estoy trabajando todavía. Déjame concentrarme.

The Spanish conversational connector phrase así que means “so that”. You might also have heard de esta manera or de este modo used in similar situations.

Pon la chaqueta así que no tendrás frío.

This is a common connector. Pero means “but” or “however”. Don’t confuse this one with perro which, with its double rr means “dog”.

A mí me encantaría ir a la fiesta pero tengo que estudiar.

10. Para mí

When giving your opinion in Spanish, use the Spanish conversational connector para mí to express yourself. It means “for me” or “from my perspective”.

Para mí, es una crisis tan grave que el mundo no se recuperará.

11. Por eso

Por eso means “for that reason” or “because of this”. It can join two logically connected statements or arguments together in Spanish.

No estaba feliz. Por eso estaba llorando mucho.

If you want to say “now that” in Spanish, use ya que . It can be used when one statement follows on from another statement and both are connected to each other.

No voy a la fiesta ya que mi novio ha terminado conmigo.

13. No creo que

Giving your opinion can be as simple as starting your sentence with no creo que . It means “I don’t think that”… So you might use it when you disagree with something. Use it with a Spanish subjunctive verb .

No creo que tengas razón. Todo el mundo debería ayudarles.

14. Por lo visto

Por lo visto sort of means “as you can see”, or “apparently”. It is used to demonstrate what you’re trying to say by connecting your argument or point to an example.

Es evidente que no podemos ayudarla. Por lo visto, ella no se va a recuperar.

15. Por consiguiente

Use por consiguiente when you want to say “therefore”. If you need to draw a conclusion from a point you’ve made previously, por consiguiente is the phrase you’ll need.

Esta tarea es demasiado difícil. Por consiguiente, vamos a pedir ayuda.

16. Que yo sepa

Que yo sepa is a Spanish conversational connector that means “as far as I am aware”. Use it to indicate that you’re going to share information or facts to the best of your knowledge.

No creo que haya más pan en las tiendas, que yo sepa.

Aunque means “despite”. It can also mean “even though” and can be used to contrast two separate points that present two sides of an argument.

Aunque te he dicho que el dinero es importante, hay una cosa más importante. Ser feliz.

18. A pesar de

Just like aunque , a pesar de means “despite”.

A pesar de las fuertes nevadas, vamos a esquiar por las montañas.

19. Sin embargo

The Spanish conversational connector sin embargo means “however” in English. Use it when you want to make a contrasting point or argument to the point you have made earlier.

He dicho que no puedes salir después de las diez. Sin embargo, puedes hablar con tus amigos por teléfono.

Además is a Spanish conversational connector that means “in addition” or “what’s more”. If you want to make an additional point, use it to indicate that you’re about to join two ideas together.

Las manzanas tienen mucha vitamina C. Además contienen fibra.

21. De todas formas

The Spanish conversational connector de todas formas means “anyway”. If you want to move on to a different point of view or consider something from a different perspective use this connector to indicate that you want to make a new point.

Este vestido es muy viejo ya. De todas formas, tengo más vestidos que son más bonitos.

22. En vez de

If you want to offer an alternative point of view or move from one point to another, use en vez de . It’s a Spanish conversational connector that means “instead of”.

Lo sé. Estar sin trabajo es duro. Pero, en vez de quejarte, busca otro puesto.

23. En concreto

If you want to specify or focus on one particular part of your conversation, use en concreto. This Spanish conversational connector means “specifically” and indicates that you’re going to talk about a particular point in more detail or use a particular example from what you’ve already been talking about.

Durante la pandemia, no había nada en las tiendas, en concreto pan y pasta.

24. Aparte de

Aparte de means “except for”. If you’re going to talk about something that is anomalous or doesn’t follow the train of thought that you were making previously, use aparte de .

Todos mis compañeros fueron inteligentes, aparte de yo.

25. De todos modos

Use de todos modos when you want to say “anyway” or shift to another perspective. You might hear it in a debate or heated discussion when someone wants to talk about something they perceive as more important than what has already been said.

No creo que su libro esté bien escrito. De todos modos, ha escrito otros más interesantes.

26. Tal como

If you want to give an example of something, use tal como to indicate that you’re about to do so. Tal como is a Spanish conversational connector that means “such as” or “for example”.

A mí me gustan los libros del género ciencia ficción, tal como Children of Time y Children of Ruin.

27. Tan pronto como

Use tan pronto como if you want to show that one event has immediately led onto another point and indicate that these two events might be linked to each other. Tan pronto como means “as soon as”.

Tan pronto como la lluvia paró, salió el sol.

28. Mientras

If two events take place at the same time, or you’re making two points that are linked or happen simultaneously, use mientras . It means “while”.

Mientras entiendo su punto de vista, no creo que tengas razón.

29. Mientras tanto

Don’t get mientras tanto confused with mientras . This Spanish conversational connector means “in the meantime”.

Julia estaba trabajando en casa mientras tanto su hermano estaba preparándose para el examen.

30. En primer lugar

Use en primer lugar to open or start a list of points all related to the same argument or theme. It means “firstly” in English and can be followed by en segundo lugar … en tercer lugar .

En primer lugar, las mascarillas no serán obligatorias en las calles a partir del jueves.

If one event happens for a duration of time, up until another event, use hasta to show that the event continued up until it was interrupted.

Or if one event is triggered by something else, use hasta . Hasta means “until”.

No voy a hablar con mi madre hasta que sepa que todo está mejor.

32. Hasta que

Hasta que also means “until”, but can also mean “before”. Note that hasta que is normally used with the subjunctive mood and is followed by a subjunctive verb.

No te daré un helado hasta que limpies tu habitación.

33. Por último

Use por último when you want to bring your argument or point to a close. Por último means “finally”, or “lastly” and you’ll hear it in political discussions.

Y por último, vamos a aumentar los sueldos mínimos de los trabajadores de España.

Pues means “well…” It’s a short word used in the same way you would pause for thought and contemplate what someone has said to you. Use this Spanish conversational connector to pause and think for a moment.

¿Piensa usted que el gobierno ha tomado la decisión correcta?

Pues… no sé. Tienes que pensar en el futuro.

If you want to clarify what you’re trying to say, use digo to say “I mean”, or “what I’m saying is”. Digo is also a verb that means “I say”.

Tiene depresión. Digo, pues, no está bien.

Bueno can mean “good”. But as a Spanish conversational connector, bueno means “well”. It’s used in a similar way to the word “so” or “okay” in speech, or to pause and think for a moment while you gather your thoughts and think of what you want to say next.

No está feliz. Bueno… la cosa es que he hecho todo lo que puedo.

Es que means “well, the thing is”. It’s a phrase you’ll hear when someone wants to use an excuse to get out of doing something, or to defend their point of view.

Deberías ayudar a tu hermana.

Es que… no necesita mi ayuda.

38. Vamos a ver

You might hear a variation of this Spanish conversational connector, which is a ver . A ver means “let’s see” or “let’s think for a moment”. Use it when you’re trying to think about the arguments someone has made and want to consider them objectively.

¿Piensas que el precio del oil va a subir? A ver… Es una posibilidad.

Use en fin when you’re concluding an argument or finishing up your speech. It means “all in all” in English.

En fin, todos los seres humanos deberían tener derecho a la libertad de expresión.

40. Es decir

Emphasising a point, or reiterating it in other words, can be signalled with this Spanish conversational connector. Es decir means “in other words”, or “to put it another way”.

El gobierno es corrupto. Es decir, no toman las decisiones correctas y no ayudan a la gente.

Use o sea as you would use es decir . It means “in other words” as well.

Hay demasiados exámenes para los jóvenes. O sea, deberían ser menos.

Connect your sentences together with Spanish conversational connectors

Now you’ve got all of these Spanish conversational connectors, you’ll find that your conversations with native Spanish speakers will flow more easily. You won’t be stopping and starting and each point will connect together more seamlessly.

Keep this list handy and try using the connectors to help you sound like a native and impress your Spanish colleagues and friends.

Which Spanish conversational connectors have we missed?

Add them to the comments section just below!

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50 Useful Spanish Transition Words for Everyday Speech and Writing

You use transition words regularly in your everyday speech and writing, whether you recognize it or not! 

In every language, transition words are beautiful tools that help us to connect our ideas and give a natural flow to the rhythm of our speech—and they’re vital to learn to improve your Spanish fluency. 

Keep reading to learn all there is to know about transition words in Spanish, what types of transition words exist, and how to use them.  

What Are Transition Words?

Transition words are all those words and phrases that you use to connect ideas between sentences. These words allow you to “transition” from one sentence to other in a smooth way. They provide a sense of normalcy to the language, since without them, our ideas would instead be separated by harsh breaks and a robotic-kind of speech. 

Every language has its own share of transition words, and Spanish is not the exception. Learning these words and phrases will help you to sound more natural in your speaking or in your writing. 

Watch our video on 50 Transition Words in Spanish!

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Types of Transition Words in Spanish

In Spanish, you can use transition words for different purposes. Depending on your purpose you get a different type of transition word: 

• To emphasize
• To explain an idea
• To add an idea
• To show a result
• To contrast and compare
• To summarize

Let’s see each one of them in detail, to learn how you can easily introduce them in your Spanish speaking and improve your writing too.

Transition Words in Spanish

If your goal is to be fluent in Spanish, transition words are a crucial area of study. For that reason, it might be a good idea to keep the following list at hand, as you will always need a good transition word to make your speech sound more natural. 

For Time 

These words let you connect ideas regarding the moment in time when they occurred. 

primero, segundo – first, secondly

Used often in recipes, processes or algorithms, these words are a good way to keep the chronological order in mind.

Primero, unta la mayonesa en el pan. Segundo, agrega el jamón.  First, spread the mayonnaise onto the bread. Secondly, add ham. 

en primer lugar, en segundo lugar – In the first place, secondly

Similar to the previous one, but more common in formal speeches or everyday conversations. 

En primer lugar, eso no es cierto. En segundo lugar, yo ni siquiera estaba aquí.  In the first place, that’s not true. Secondly, I wasn’t even here. 

después (de) – after, afterward

Carlos hizo la tarea después del partido de fútbol.  Carlos did his homework after the football game. 

ya – already

Ya is useful to express that something has already happened. 

Terminé el trabajo y ya lo mandé por correo electrónico. I finished my work and I already sent it by email. 

todavía – still

To express that something is still happening at the moment, you use todavía . 

Cuando se despertó, el dinosaurio todavía estaba ahí. When he woke up, the dinosaur was still there. 

todavía no – not yet

However, to say that something has not happened yet, you have to use todavía no . 

¿Ya empezó el partido? Todavía no .  Has the game started already? Not yet. 

Other useful transition words for time:  

Mientras While

Por fin at last

Al final  At the end

Finalmente   Lastly

Al mismo tiempo  At the same time

Para continuar Next, further

Por último Lastly

En conclusión In conclusion

These transition words allow you to connect ideas regarding their position in space.

aquí, acá – here

Ven a casa, aquí te espero.  Come home, I’ll wait for you here. 

ahí, allí – there

Ya casi llegamos, ahí está mi casa. We’re almost there, that’s my house.

al lado de – next to

Mi casa está al lado del parque .  My house is next to the park.

afuera – outside

Estoy afuera de la escuela.  My house is next to the park.

Other Useful Transition Words for Place:  

Allá  Over there

Más allá Beyond, further

De Of, from

Desde From, since

To Add an Idea

Use the following transition words when you want to add a new idea to what you were just saying.

además – moreover, additionally

Estudiar español es muy interesante y, además, te abre muchas puertas.  Learning Spanish is very interesting and, additionally, it opens a lot of doors. 

aparte – besides, apart from

Eso no es cierto, aparte de que ni siquiera es lo que yo dije. That’s not true, besides that’s not even what I said.

asimismo – also, likewise

Asimismo is a perfect way to start a new paragraph building up on what you just said on the previous one. You can also use de igual manera or de la misma manera , to express the same idea.

Asimismo, las ideas de la Ilustración condujeron a la Revolución Industrial.  Likewise, the ideas of the Enlightenment sparked the Industrial Revolution. 

también – also, too

Me gusta el fútbol y también el básquetbol.  I like football and basketball too. 

más aún – moreover

No debiste mentirme, más aún cuando quieres que te ayude.  You shouldn’t have lied to me, moreover when you want my help.

Other Useful Transition Words to Add an Idea:

De todas formas (maneras, modos)  In any case, anyhow

De cualquier manera In any case, anyhow

Sobre todo Above all, especially

To Explain an Idea

Sometimes you don’t want to add a new idea, but explain better the one you were just talking about. These transition words will help you with that:

es decir – that is, I mean

La comida mexicana es muy interesante. Es decir, me encanta como mezcla diferentes sabores. Mexican food is very interesting. I mean, I love how it mixes different flavors.  

por ejemplo – for example, for instance

Me gusta mucho tu estilo, por ejemplo esos zapatos están increíbles.  I like your style a lot, for example those shoes are amazing!

en otras palabras – in other words

En otras palabras, hiciste un gran trabajo.   In other words, you did a great job. 

así – thus, thereby

Trabajé de mesero y así pude pagar mi universidad.  I worked as a waiter and thus I could pay my tuition fees. 

To Contrast and Compare

When you want to contrast or compare to different ideas, you can use one of these transition words in Spanish: 

aunque – although, even though

Me gusta mucho el básquetbol, aunque el fútbol es mi deporte favorito.   I like basketball a lot, although football is my favorite sport. 

pero – but

Sí quiero ir al cine, pero tengo mucha tarea .  I do want to go to the movies, but I have a lot of homework. 

sin embargo – however, nevertheless

Me gustaría aprender francés, sin embargo prefiero el español. I’d like to learn French, however I prefer Spanish. 

a pesar de – despite, in spite of

Ganamos el partido, a pesar de que éramos menos jugadores. We won the game, in spite of having less players. 

Other Useful Transition Words to Contrast and Compare:  

Al contrario On the contrary

Aun así Even so

Sino  But

En cambio On the other hand, instead

To Summarize

These transition words are useful to conclude your idea. 

En resumen – to sum up

En resumen, se trata de uno de tus mejores trabajos .  To sum up, this is one of your best works. 

Para terminar – lastly, finally

Para terminar, debo aceptar que fue una gran experiencia.   Finally, I have to accept that it was a great experience. 

En conclusión – in conclusion, in a nutshell

En conclusión, es la mejor decisión que he tomado.  In a nutshell, it’s the best decision that I’ve ever taken. 

Other Useful Transition Words to Summarize:

En síntesis In short

En otras palabras In other words

Al fin y al cabo All in all

Después de todo After all  

En Conclusión

Now that you know how useful transition words in Spanish can be, start using them in real life conversations and see how much your speaking in Spanish improves. Sign up today for a free trial class with one of our certified teachers from Guatemala, and impress them with the natural flow of your speech thanks to the smart use of transition words!

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