sinovssi no
/SEE-noh/
/see NOH/
💡 Quick Rule
Sino = 'but rather' (corrects a negative). Si no = 'if not' (states a condition).
Sino is one word for one idea (a correction). Si no are two words for two ideas (an 'if' and a 'not').
- Use 'sino que' when what follows is a full conjugated verb phrase: 'No salí, sino que me quedé en casa.'
📊 Comparison Table
| Context | sino | si no | Why? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Correction vs. Condition | No es lunes, sino martes. | Si no llegas a tiempo, empezamos sin ti. | Sino corrects a wrong idea ('not Monday, but Tuesday'). Si no sets up a condition and its consequence ('if you're not on time...'). |
| Giving an order | No hables, sino escucha. | Come ahora, si no, se enfriará. | Sino presents an alternative action ('don't talk, but listen'). Si no warns about what will happen if you don't act. |
| Expressing a reason | No lo hice por enojo, sino por justicia. | No puedo ir. Si no te importa, ¿podemos vernos mañana? | Sino clarifies the true reason after negating a false one. Si no asks for permission based on a condition ('if you don't mind...'). |
✅ When to Use "sino" / si no
sino
but rather / but instead / except. Used to contradict or correct a previous negative statement.
/SEE-noh/
Contradicting a negative fact
No es rojo, sino azul.
It's not red, but rather blue.
Choosing between two options
No quiero té, sino café.
I don't want tea, but coffee instead.
Meaning 'except'
Nadie lo sabe sino mi hermano.
Nobody knows it except my brother.
Contradicting with a full clause (sino que)
No fuimos al cine, sino que vimos una película en casa.
We didn't go to the movies, but rather we watched a film at home.
si no
if not. A conditional phrase that introduces a consequence if a condition is not met.
/see NOH/
Stating a condition
Si no estudias, no aprobarás el examen.
If you don't study, you won't pass the exam.
Warning of a consequence
Date prisa, si no, perderemos el tren.
Hurry up, if not, we'll miss the train.
Posing a hypothetical question
¿Y si no viene a la fiesta?
And what if he doesn't come to the party?
🔄 Contrast Examples
With "sino":
No vamos a la playa, sino a la montaña.
We're not going to the beach, but rather to the mountains.
With "si no":
Si no vamos a la playa, ¿qué hacemos?
If we don't go to the beach, what are we doing?
The Difference: Sino provides the definitive alternative plan. Si no uses the negated plan as the basis for a question or a new decision.
With "sino":
Tu problema no es la falta de tiempo, sino de organización.
Your problem isn't a lack of time, but rather of organization.
With "si no":
Si no te organizas, nunca tendrás tiempo.
If you don't get organized, you'll never have time.
The Difference: Sino corrects a mistaken idea about the problem's source. Si no explains the negative consequence of a certain behavior.
🎨 Visual Comparison
Split-screen showing sino (a choice between two items) vs si no (a conditional path with a consequence).
Sino is for 'not this, but that'. Si no is for 'if not this, then that happens'.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
No quiero el rojo, si no el azul.
No quiero el rojo, sino el azul.
You are correcting a negative statement ('not the red one') with a direct alternative ('but rather the blue one'). This requires the single word 'sino'.
Sino me llamas, no sabré que estás bien.
Si no me llamas, no sabré que estás bien.
This sentence sets up a condition ('If you don't call me...'). Conditional statements always use the two words 'si no'.
Él no estudia, sino trabaja todo el día.
Él no estudia, sino que trabaja todo el día.
When the part after 'sino' is a full sentence with its own verb ('trabaja'), you must use 'sino que'.
📚 Related Grammar
Want to understand the grammar behind this pair? Explore these lessons for a deep dive:
🏷️ Key Words
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: Sino vs Si no
Question 1 of 3
Completa la frase: 'No es mi coche, ___ el de mi padre.'
🏷️ Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I always use 'pero' instead of 'sino'?
No. Use 'sino' only after a negative clause to introduce a correction (not A, but B). 'Pero' is more general and means 'but' or 'however'; it can connect two opposing ideas without the first one being negative. For example: 'Es caro, pero es bueno' (It's expensive, but it's good).
What's the difference in pronunciation between 'sino' and 'si no'?
There's a subtle but important difference. 'Sino' is pronounced as one word with the stress on the first syllable: SEE-no. 'Si no' is pronounced as two separate words, with a slight pause between them and equal stress, or slightly more on 'no': see NOH.