Spanish word

mas

Pronunciation

IPA/mas/

Meaning

  • conjunctionbut

Example

Quería ir, mas no tenía tiempo.

I wanted to go, but I didn't have time.

Illustration for mas (but)

More examples

Quiso ayudar, mas no se lo permitieron.

He tried to help, but they wouldn't let him.

Core concept

A short adversative linker used chiefly in formal writing to counter a previous clause.

Similar words

pero: Expresses a simple contrast or contradiction in everyday spoken Spanish.
aunque: States a concession: something is true despite another fact.
sino: Presents a correction or alternative that replaces a previous negated statement.
sin embargo: States a contrasting fact or counterpoint in somewhat formal or written language.

Definition in Spanish

Contrapone una idea a otra anterior, de registro más culto o literario que 'pero' y reemplazable por 'sin embargo' en contextos escritos.

Word origin

Originally from Latin magis 'more', the word underwent reduction and a change of function in Romance so that mas came to mark contrast rather than comparative degree.

Usage tips

  • Often interchangeable with sin embargo in written texts, mas commonly appears with commas around it and is rare in casual speech where pero is the natural choice.

Other meanings

  • howeverconjunction

Word lists with this word