Inklingo

How to Say "therefore" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “therefore” is “entonces” — use 'entonces' to show a direct result or consequence, often implying a logical progression of events or ideas. It's a versatile and common choice.

entonces🔊A2

Use 'entonces' to show a direct result or consequence, often implying a logical progression of events or ideas. It's a versatile and common choice.

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así que🔊B1

Employ 'así que' to indicate a consequence or result, often used in everyday speech when one situation leads to another. It's a widely understood and frequently used option.

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luego🔊B1

Choose 'luego' when presenting a more formal or philosophical conclusion, often implying a logical deduction or a step-by-step reasoning process. It's famously used in Descartes' 'Cogito, ergo sum'.

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conque🔊B1

Use 'conque' to signal a conclusion or decision reached based on a preceding statement, often implying a sense of 'therefore, let's...' or 'so, we should...'. It carries a slightly more definitive tone.

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English → Spanish

entonces

en-TON-sesenˈton.ses

connectorA2formal
Use 'entonces' to show a direct result or consequence, often implying a logical progression of events or ideas. It's a versatile and common choice.
A set of dominoes where the first one has fallen and is about to hit the next one, showing a chain reaction.

Examples

Está lloviendo, entonces no vamos al parque.

It's raining, so we're not going to the park.

Si no estudiaste, entonces no vas a aprobar el examen.

If you didn't study, then you're not going to pass the exam.

Pienso, entonces existo.

I think, therefore I am.

Connecting Cause and Effect

Use this 'entonces' to link a reason or situation to what happens because of it. It answers the question '...so what?'

Not always the same as 'luego'

Mistake: “'Comí, luego salí.' (Sequence)”

Correction: 'Luego' often means 'after that' in a sequence of events. 'Entonces' is better for a logical result: 'Tenía hambre, entonces comí.' (I was hungry, *so* I ate). They can sometimes overlap, but thinking of 'entonces' as 'so' helps avoid confusion.

así que

ah-seeaˈsi

conjunctionB1formal
Employ 'así que' to indicate a consequence or result, often used in everyday speech when one situation leads to another. It's a widely understood and frequently used option.
A two-panel illustration showing cause and effect: the left panel shows heavy rain, and the right panel shows a disappointed child looking out a window.

Examples

Está lloviendo, así que no podemos ir al parque.

It's raining, so we can't go to the park.

Está lloviendo, asi que no podemos ir al parque.

It's raining, so we can't go to the park.

No he dormido bien, asi que estoy muy cansado.

I haven't slept well, so I'm very tired.

El vuelo fue cancelado, asi que tendremos que buscar un hotel.

The flight was canceled, therefore we'll have to look for a hotel.

luego

lwe-goˈlwe.ɣo

conjunctionB1formal
Choose 'luego' when presenting a more formal or philosophical conclusion, often implying a logical deduction or a step-by-step reasoning process. It's famously used in Descartes' 'Cogito, ergo sum'.
A person sees dark rain clouds in the sky and, as a result, opens an umbrella, demonstrating the concept of 'so' or 'therefore'.

Examples

Pienso, luego existo.

I think, therefore I am.

No has estudiado nada, luego no te sorprendas si suspendes.

You haven't studied at all, so don't be surprised if you fail.

El equipo jugó muy mal, luego perdió el partido.

The team played very poorly, therefore they lost the game.

Connecting Cause and Effect

Think of this 'luego' as a bridge between a reason and a result. It tells your listener, 'Because of the first thing I said, this second thing is true.'

Sounding Too Formal

Mistake: “Using this 'luego' in casual chat can sometimes sound a bit stiff or academic. For everyday conversation, 'así que' is often a more natural choice for 'so'.”

Correction: For a text message: 'Está lloviendo, así que voy a llevar paraguas.' For a formal essay: 'Las precipitaciones han aumentado, luego es prudente llevar paraguas.'

conque

kohn-kehˈkoŋke

conjunctionB1formal
Use 'conque' to signal a conclusion or decision reached based on a preceding statement, often implying a sense of 'therefore, let's...' or 'so, we should...'. It carries a slightly more definitive tone.
A child holding an empty plate next to a scattered pile of cookie crumbs.

Examples

Ya terminamos el trabajo, conque vámonos a casa.

We've finished the work, so let's go home.

No hay más pan, conque tendrás que ir a la panadería.

There is no more bread, so you'll have to go to the bakery.

Mañana es festivo, conque no hay clase.

Tomorrow is a holiday, so there is no class.

The 'Linker' Role

Think of this word as a bridge. It connects a situation (Part A) to the logical result (Part B).

No Mood Swings

Unlike some other Spanish connectors, this word uses normal verb forms (the indicative), so you don't need to worry about special 'wish' or 'uncertainty' verb forms here.

One Word or Two?

Mistake: “Using 'con que' when you mean 'so'.”

Correction: Use 'conque' (one word) for 'so'. Use 'con que' (two words) only when you mean 'with which'.

Choosing Between 'entonces' and 'así que'

Learners often confuse 'entonces' and 'así que' because both indicate a result. 'Entonces' is generally more common and can be used in a wider range of contexts, including simple logical consequences. 'Así que' often feels slightly more like a direct consequence or a reason to act.

Related Translations

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