spanish essay transition words

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75 Spanish Transition Words to Connect Your Thoughts Seamlessly

Transition words are the knots that hold sentences together. They help things blend together and smooth out our sentences:

Fui al parque, luego al gimnasio y finalmente a la tienda. ( I went to the park, then the gym and finally the store.)

Without them, our speech would sound choppy and oversimplified.

What Are Transition Words?

Types of spanish transition words, 1. transition words for time, 2. transition words for location, 3. transition words for explaining, 4. transition words for add-ons, 5. transition words for results, 6. transition words for emphasis, 7. transition words for comparison and contrast, 8. transition words for summarizing, quiz on spanish transition words, and one more thing….

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Transition words in Spanish are words and phrases that help us connect ideas between sentences .

When we connect sentences with transition words, we add only a couple of words, but we make the meaning of what we are saying much clearer. Have a look:

No tengo mucho tiempo. Voy a ir a la fiesta. (I don’t have much time. I will go to the party.)

The sentences may be correct, but what is the relation between them? By adding transition words to the mix, everything starts to make sense:

No tengo mucho tiempo pero voy a ir a la fiesta. (I don’t have much time but I’ll go to the party.)

Aunque no tengo mucho tiempo, voy a ir a la fiesta. ( Although I don’t have much time, I’ll go to the party.)

No tengo mucho tiempo. Además , voy a ir a la fiesta. (I don’t have much time. Besides , I’m going to the party.)

Depending on the meaning of your sentence, you’ll want to use a different set of transition words to help you with it.

They’re classified into different groups depending on the resource, but here are the eight types of transition words often referred to:

• Time • Location • Explanation • Add-ons • Result • Emphasis • Comparison and c ontrast • Summary

If you pay attention to how native speakers converse, you’ll notice how these transition words can come into play and help a sentence flow.

The first type of transition words have to do with time, whether we’re talking about something that already happened, will happen or maybe just constructing a timeline:

Note that luego, después and más tarde can be used interchangeably when describing a succession of events or giving instructions.

If we’re looking at where one thing is relative to another, we can use these transitional phrases:

If we need some help in explaining something smoothly, we can use these words to provide context:

If you’ve made one statement, but have additional details to add, you can tack them on with these words:

Just remember that y can only connect two words, phrases or sentences of the same category. This is called coordination, and y is a coordinating conjunction.

When referring to cause and effects, you can use these phrases to transition from one to the other:

Using these transition words correctly will really strengthen whichever part of your phrase that you emphasize it with:

Comparing and contrasting requires lots of transition words in order to flow and make sense:

Sometimes we need some help transitioning into a concluding statement, which is why these terms can come in handy:

Now that you’ve learned some Spanish transition words, it’s time to test your knowledge! Choose the best option to complete each sentence in the quiz below. To retake the quiz, just refresh the page. 

These small but powerful words help us to convey exact meaning we want and sound more fluent, so be sure to practice them!

The best way to learn how to use these Spanish transition words properly is by seeing and hearing them used in context.

With FluentU , you can immerse yourself in Spanish media from home and pick up on transition words that way. 

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FluentU has a wide variety of videos, as you can see here:

FluentU brings native videos within reach with interactive transcripts. You can tap on any word to look it up instantly. Every definition has examples that have been written to help you understand how the word is used. If you see an interesting word you don’t know, you can add it to a vocab list.

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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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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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Transition Words In Spanish: How To Sound Like a Native Speaker

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Learning the most common transition words in Spanish is a great way to go from speaking in broken, clunky Spanish to sounding more fluid, almost instantly.

Transition words (in any language) help us add more coherence to what we say or write, by linking and connecting our ideas.

In case you still aren’t sure what we mean, below is a list of the most common transition words in Spanish that you will hear in a regular conversation:

• También (also)
• Además (beside)
• De hecho (in fact)
• Sin embargo (nonetheless)
• Antes que nada (first of all)
• Por ejemplo (for example)
• Entonces (so)
• En conclusión (in conclusion)
• Por suerte (luckily)

Here are a couple of examples of these words in action:

• Carlos told me he managed to organize everything. He also  told me that he helped his teammates – Carlos me dijo que logró organizar todo. También  me dijo que ayudó a sus compañeros.
• This month we had good sales,  however , complaints about late deliveries increased. – Este mes tuvimos buenas ventas, sin embargo , aumentaron las quejas por tardanzas en entregas.
• We have to book the ticket before anything else  – Tenemos que reservar el boleto antes que nada
• I wanted to go to the beach,  but  I got sick – Quería ir a la playa,  pero me enfermé
• I was promoted at work,  in fact now I have an assistant – Me ascendieron en el trabajo,  de hecho  ahora tengo una asistente
• My grandfather fell out of bed, but luckily  he’s not hurt – Mi abuelo se cayó de la cama, pero por suerte no está herido

In this post, we will cover a bunch of different transition words in Spanish which will help you reinforce information, give information about time or sequence, contrast ideas and much more.

To talk about a sequence, order or time

• We have to finish the sales report as soon as possible – Hay que terminar el reporte de ventas  tan pronto como  sea posible
• I will  briefly explain what we will do at the festival – Les voy a explicar  brevemente  lo que haremos en el festival
• First of al l, I want to thank you for coming to the meeting – Primeramente  quiero agradecer que hayan venido a la reunión
• Now we will talk about students behavior, then  we’ll talk about their grades – Ahora hablaremos del comportamiento de los alumnos, luego  hablaremos de sus calificaciones
• At the moment  the band was playing, they launched fireworks – Cuando la banda estaba tocando, en ese momento , lanzaron fuegos artificiales

To talk about change or contrast of ideas

• I love traveling on vacation,  although  sometimes I rest more staying at home – Me encanta viajar en vacaciones, aunque  a veces descanso más quedándome en casa
• Despite  having studied, I didn’t do well on the exam – A pesar de  haber estudiado, no me fue bien en el examen
• On the contrary,  I think this advertising campaign is very good – Al contrario , creo que esta campaña publicitaria es muy buena
• They found the restaurant very good, but  not me – A ellos les pareció muy bueno el restaurante, en cambio  a mí no
• I want to go to the movies, but  I don’t have money – Quiero ir al cine, pero  no tengo dinero

To emphasize or add information

• It is not common for children to eat vegetables, they usually  prefer candies – No es común que los niños coman vegetales,  por lo general prefieren los dulces
• This morning I went to the gym and also  to the park to walk  –  Esta mañana fui al Gimnasio y  también  al parque a caminar
• We won first place as a result  of teamwork – Ganamos el primer lugar como resultado del trabajo en equipo
• Without a doubt , a sedentary life is dangerous – Sin duda alguna , una vida sedentaria es peligrosa
• In addition  to having meals included in the hotel, they also  included drinks – En el hotel además  de tener las comidas incluidas, también  incluían las bebidas

To make a comparison

• Indeed, Our product is better than the competition – En efecto , nuestro producto es mejor que el de la competencia
• I don’t like those shoes either , they are just as ugly as the previous ones – Tampoco  me gustan esos zapatos, son igual  de feos que los anteriores
• Like  my brother, we are vegetarians – Al igual que  mi hermano, somos vegetarianos
• We will also  go to the concert – Nosotros  también  iremos al concierto
• She has  another way to cook the roast – Ella tiene otra forma  de cocinar el asado

To give examples

• For example , if you buy the plane ticket now, it will be cheaper – Por ejemplo , si compras el pasaje de avión ahora, será más económico
• Suppose you are shipwrecked on a desert island – Supongamos  que naufragas en una isla desierta
• Let’s look at this example  of how we can reduce the consumption of plastic – Veamos este ejemplo  de cómo podemos reducir el consumo de plástico
• Let’s say  that tomorrow he surprises you with a gift. What would you do? – Digamos que mañana él te sorprende con un regalo. ¿Qué harías?

To talk about causes and effects

• Luckily  we all sign up on time – Por suerte  todos nos inscribimos a tiempo
• Due to  the hurricanes, many homes have disappeared – A causa de  los huracanes, muchas casas han desaparecido
• As a result  of poor diet, I was diagnosed with gastritis – Como resultado de una mala alimentación, me diagnosticaron gastritis
• I am allergic to dairy, therefore  I cannot eat cheese – Soy alérgica a los lácteos,  por lo tanto  no puedo comer queso
• Considering  your great effort, we decided to give you a chance –  En vista de  tu gran esfuerzo, decidimos darte una oportunidad

To conclude an idea

• Finally , we will announce the winner –  Finalmente , anunciaremos al ganador
• Last but not least , I want to thank you for coming – Por último pero no menos importante , quiero dar las gracias por haber venido
• I couldn’t travel the weekend, after all,  I didn’t want to do it either – No pude viajar el fin de semana, al fin y al cabo , tampoco quería hacerlo
• To conclude  the meeting, I would like to hear your opinions – Para concluir  la reunión, me gustaría oír sus opiniones
• To sum up , What can you tell us about your experience in the Amazonia? – Para resumir , ¿Qué podrías decirnos sobre tu experiencia en El Amazonas?

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The Essential Guide to Spanish Linking Words

What are Spanish linking words? 

Well, they simply make you sound better, both in speech and in writing. 

Your sentences flow naturally, and your ideas logically build on each other. 

Sparkle your essay with a couple of good linking words in Spanish and you’ll surely get an A.

Let’s take a closer look at Spanish linking words, different types that exist, and how to use them in a sentence. 

Spanish Linking Words

Spanish linking words, also called connective words, are words and phrases you use to connect ideas in a piece of writing. We connect phrases and clauses within a sentence and sentences and paragraphs when writing, for example, an essay.

Two types of linking words exist:

Conjunctions

• Transition words

Conjunctions connect ideas within clauses and sentences, meanwhile transition words connect sentences and paragraphs. 

Keep reading as we cover the following details about Spanish connecting words:

• how and when to use them
• rules of linking in Spanish
• list of useful linking words in Spanish, organized by function

Conjunctions connect words, clauses, phrases, and sentences. These Spanish linking words can be single words or two or more words that form conjunctive expressions. In Spanish, there are two main conjunction groups: 

• Coordinating conjunctions
• Subordinating conjunctions

Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions connect words, phrases, clauses, and sentences of equal value. You can separate them, and they can exist individually.

Coordinating conjunctions have one of the following functions:

• express addition: y (and)
• give an alternative: o (or)
• express contrast: pero (but)

You can find a full list of coordinating conjunctions at the end of this post (with translation!), but let’s have a look at some sample sentences with coordinating conjunctions.

Me encanta tu personalidad y tu sonrisa. I love your personality and your smile.

Puedes leer el libro o ver la tele. You can read a book or watch TV.

La busqué pero no la encontré. I looked for it but could not find it.

To learn more about coordinating conjunctions, check out the following articles. You can also complete a quiz and try some Spanish connectors exercises!

• 9 Coordinating Conjunctions in Spanish Essential to Know
• The Ultimate Guide to Using ‘And’ in Spanish  
• What’s the Difference Between Pero and Sino?

Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions are a type of Spanish linking words that introduce subordinate clauses. These clauses cannot exist by themselves, and they depend on the main clause. The tricky part about subordinating clauses is whether to use the indicative or subjunctive mood, which is determined by the linking word you use.

There are 9 types of subordinating conjunctions. As I mentioned before, there’s a full list of them at the end of this post with information about what mood should be used, but let’s have a quick look at some of the Spanish linking words in each of these groups.

1. Causal Conjunctions

These connective words introduce a clause with a reason or cause of the action in the main clause. They translate to “because,” “since,” or “as.” For example, como :

Como a Pedro no le gusta caminar, siempre viaja en carro. Since Pedro doesn’t like walking, he always travels by car.

2. Conjunctions of Comparison

These Spanish linking words compare information in two clauses. For example, como si (as if):

Hace flexiones como si fuera un gran atleta. He does push-ups as if he was a great athlete.

3. Relative Conjunctions

Relative conjunctions, such as si or que translate to “if” or “that” in English.

No sé si lo puedo terminar a tiempo. I don’t know if I can finish it on time.

4. Conjunctions of Concession

These Spanish linking words introduce information that contradicts the main clause. For example, aun cuando (although, even though).

Él trabaja mucho aun cuando está de vacaciones. He works a lot, even when he’s on vacation.

5. Conjunctions of Result

Do you want to introduce the effect or consequences of the action in the main clause? Conjunctions of result are for these. For example, de modo que (that):

Hay que hacerlo de modo que sea seguro para todos. It must be done in a way that is safe for everyone.

6. Conjunctions of Condition

Si (if), siempre y cuando (as long as) are examples of linking words used in conditional sentences.

Lo haré, siempre y cuando me devuelva el dinero. I will, as long as I get my money back.

7. Conjunctions of Purpose

If you want to talk about intentions or goals of the verbs from the main clause, use linking words such as para que (so that)

Te lo dije para que lo hicieras tú sola. I told you so that you do it yourself.

8. Illative Conjunctions

Illative conjunctions introduce something that can be inferred from the main clause. In English, it’s “therefore” for example, and in Spanish luego.

Pienso, luego existo. I think, therefore I exist.

9. Conjunctions of Time

These conjunctions determine the time period of the action in the main clause. For example mientras (while):

Mientras corres, puedes escuchar música. While you’re running, you can listen to music.

To learn more about subordinating conjunctions, check out:

• 9 Types of Subordinating Conjunctions in Spanish That Will Supercharge Your Fluency
• The Ultimate Guide to ‘Even Though’ in Spanish

Transition Words

Transition words connect ideas between sentences and they give a natural flow to your speech or writing. These are so-called “Spanish essay linking words” because they help to transition your ideas in a smooth way in any text.

Transition words are sometimes the same conjunctions you use to link ideas within a sentence but you have a sea of other possibilities. Depending on your purpose, you can use transition words from one of the eight groups: 

• Explanation

See the full list of transition words from each of the above categories at the end of this post, but first, let’s see how they look in a text.

Primero, quiero contarte una historia. Allá voy, espera. Además, te quiero contar una historia que nadie antes haya oído. Es decir, vas a ser el único en saberlo. Así que, presta atención, sobre todo cuando mencione algunas fechas. Aunque, si quieres, la puedes contar después a tus propios hijos. Al fin y al cabo, esta historia ya será tuya.

First, I want to tell you a story. Here I go, wait. Also, I want to tell you a story that no one has heard before. I mean, you’ll be the only one to know it. So pay attention, especially when I mention some dates. Although if you want, you can tell it later to your own children. After all, this story will already be yours.

Learn more: 50 Useful Transition Words in Spanish for Everyday Speech and Writing

A List of Spanish Linking Words

Here’s a handy list of Spanish linking words in one single place! 

Download the PDF and take it with you while writing essays—you’ll amaze your Spanish teacher!

Download the Spanish Linking Words Cheat Sheet!

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Spanish Linking Words Chart

Después de todo.

Now that you know all types of Spanish linking words it’s time to check how they feel in a speech. Sign up today for a free class to practice your conversational skills with one of our friendly, native Spanish-speaking teachers from Guatemala. They can give you more tips on how to improve your oral and writing skills supercharged now by Spanish connective words.

Ready to learn more Spanish grammar? Check these out!

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Step-By-Step Guide to Using Transition Words in Spanish

Spanish transition words are necessary to connect sentences and, therefore, ideas. Use them to organize your speech and sound more natural.

Written or spoken, a sentence must sound clean. Whether you desire to contrast information or add a new perspective to nourish the speech, transition words need to be used.

Spanish transition words help the language user provide a different style to the sentences and this is unique to every person.

In this article, you are going to find a list of the Spanish transition words you will most likely listen to in conversations or read, maybe the case be.

Why are Spanish transition words important?

It’s completely natural to start building quick sentences when we are learning a new language . Those sentences usually go with a subject, a verb, and a short complement.

However, after properly learning some grammar rules, and acquiring more and more vocabulary , you should be able to start building complex phrases. You can’t talk about your routine separate by dots like this:

“I woke up and took a shower. I ate breakfast. I went to the park to exercise.”

As was said before, this is entirely natural at the beginning of the learning trip . The thing here is, as English is your mother tongue, you won’t express the sentence that way.

The goal would be to use similar expressions to link those ideas not to sound like a robot in Spanish. Hence:

“After waking up, I took a quick shower. Then, I ate breakfast, I was hungry! After that, I went to the park for some exercise. Finally, I came back home to start working.”

That paragraph is not the summit of the amusement but people reading it or listening to it will be a lot more interested than with the first one thanks to the transition words.

How many Types of Spanish transition words are there

In Spanish, we have 8 types of transition words: 

• Spanish transition words for time.
• Spanish transition words for place.
• Spanish transition words to add an idea.
• Spanish transition words to explain an idea.
• Spanish transition words to compare and contrast ideas.
• Spanish transition words to show a result.
• Spanish transition words to emphasize an idea.
• Spanish transition words to summarize.

Let’s take a look at each one with the translation and some examples. That way, you will be able to place them in similar real-life situations.

Also, information is added by means of a description so you can understand its usage.

Spanish transition words for time

Ya / todavía: now / already / still.

Spanish native speakers would always use these two even when it’s not necessary. Actually, ya has become a very common filler in this language.

• ¿ Todavía estás usando la computadora? – Are you still using the computer?
• Te lo voy a decir ahora si no te lo había dicho ya . – I’m going to tell you now if I hadn’t already told you

Todavía no: not yet

Following the previous transitions but in a negative way…

• ¡No, todavía no abras la puerta! – No, do not open the door yet!

Ya no: not anymore

Sentences containing these first types of transitional words are quite popular in Spanish.

• Ya no quiero hablar contigo. – I no longer want to talk to you.
• Tu opinión ya no es relevante. – Your opinion is not relevant anymore.

Primero / en primer lugar: first / first of all / firstly

The ideas to be expressed will be enumerated by using ordinal numbers .

• Primero , yo no dije eso. Segundo , no deberías estar aquí. Y tercero , ¿por qué le dirías a la gente sobre esto? – First, I didn’t say that. Second, you shouldn’t be here. And third, why would you tell people about this?

Luego / más tarde / después: later / then

You might be wondering how to use a word with three different meanings, but let’s not take things that far, yet. Luego and después are basically the same, they both talk about something occurring after another event.

Más tarde , on the other hand, refers to an action occurring after another without the sense of continuity the previous ones have. Instead, this one says the next action is taking place further in the future .

For example:

• Esperaremos a los niños para luego salir. – We’ll wait for the kids to then go out.
• Voy a pensarlo y te diré más tarde . – I’m going to think about it and I’ll tell you later. 

Learning Spanish you will find that building a phrase with these words is actually pretty simple. 

If you want to go further, there are synonyms available:

• Para empezar: to start / for starters / to begin with.
• En primer lugar: in the first place / firstly.
• En segundo lugar: in second place / secondly.
• Inicialmente: initially.
• Próximo: next.
• Antes de: before.
• Después de: after.
• Para concluir / para finalizar / finalmente: finally / to conclude.
• Por último: lastly.

Spanish transition words for time is the longest category as the employed words possess many synonyms.

Memorizing the ones you like better will help you focus and not be looking for another word. Aside from the types that we have already covered, there are some other transitions that express time differently.

Mientras / mientras tanto: while / as long as / in the meantime / meanwhile

• Quédate junto a mí mientras esperamos. – Stay next to me while we wait. 
• Mientras seas la siguiente, no seré el último. – As long as you’re next, I won’t be the last one. 
• Mientras tanto , yo escribía la última palabra. – Meanwhile, I was writing the last word.

Cuando: when

• Entreguen sus trabajos cuando estén listos para corregirlos aquí. – Hand over the papers when you’re ready to grade them here.

Durante: during / over

• Hubo muchas protestas durante la transición política. – There were a lot of protests during the political transition.

En cuanto / tan pronto como: once / as soon as

• En cuanto aprenda español, hablaré bien con mis amigos. – Once I learn Spanish, I’ll talk well with my friends.

Spanish transition words for place

Not many can be found under the label of transition words when talking about the place.

Sobre / por encima: on / above

The first one refers to the position in which you are stepping on something and, with the second one, you express you are over with something or you don’t care.

• Ellos necesitan empezar a hablar sobre el calentamiento global. – They need to start talking about global warming.
• Ellas hablaron del calentamiento global por encima . – They barely talked about global warming during the conference.

Enfrente de / delante: facing / in front of

These two are different when the physical position is relevant and we must be specific. When we use these two as transitional words, it makes no difference if you choose one or the other.

• Vamos a caminar al parque que está enfrente . – Let’s walk to the park across the street.
• Ella no dirá que no si está delante del problema. – She won’t say no if she’s in front of the problem.

Spanish transition words to add an idea

It’s well-known that y in Spanish translates to and in English.

It’s any Spanish-language starter’s favorite conjunction. But, did you know it’s considered a coordinating conjunction because it connects two sentences within the same category? For example:

• Encendí la luz y me puse a trabajar. – I turned the light on and started to work.

Por un lado / por otro lado: on one hand / on the other hand

Por una parte… por otra parte can be used in Spanish with the same meaning.

• Por un lado , nuestros niños pueden correr libremente en el parque. Por otro lado , se pueden lastimar. – On one hand, our kids can run freely in the park. On the other hand, they can get hurt.

Asimismo / igualmente / del mismo modo / de la misma manera: also / likewise / furthermore

Use these to add new information to something we already knew which was expressed in the previous sentence.

• Este será nuestro último examen. Asimismo , es requerido que cada uno de ustedes pase para que el resto sea aprobado. – This will be our last test of the term. Also, it’s required that each of you passes so the rest is approved.

Asimismo must not be confused with a sí mismo (to oneself) or así mismo (in the same way).

Además / además de: in addition / in addition to / furthermore / moreover / besides

• Además de Google, ¿Qué otros motores de búsqueda usas? – Besides Google, what other search engines do you use? 
• Katherine es linda; además , ella es muy inteligente. – Katherine is cute; moreover, she’s very smart.

También: as well / also / too

• Yo también quiero salir a jugar. – I want to go out and play as well.
• No me gusta esta camisa. También , mis pantalones son demasiado cortos. – I don’t like this shirt. Also, my pants are too short.

Spanish transition words to explain an idea

Es decir / esto es / quiere decir: that is / i.e. / that is to say.

These expressions will help you use other words to express something you said.

• Lo despidieron, quiere decir que no podrá venir con nosotros. – He got fired, that is, he won’t be able to come with us.

Como: like / as / since

Three different meanings in English again. Depending on the position como occupies in the sentence, the meaning will differ.

• Ámame como yo te amo. – Love me as I love you.

“Like” would be the same there if we replaced it.

• Como llegaron temprano, agarraron los mejores puestos. – Since you got there early, you got the best places.

Entre ellos / entre otros: among them / among others / among other things

• Tengo muchos amigos, entre ellos , los de mi infancia. – I have a lot of friends, among them, my childhood ones. 
• Entre otras cosas , el deporte es lo que amo. – Among other things, sports is what I love.

Por ejemplo: for example / for instance

The favorite transitional phrase for beginners in this category since its purpose is pretty straightforward. Use it to add an explanation by means of a more illustrative phrase.

• Para comer sanamente debes ser responsable. Por ejemplo , el alcohol no está permitido. – To eat healthily you have to be responsible. For instance, alcohol is not allowed.

Así: thus / thereby

• Duerman temprano, así , descansarán más. – Sleep early, thus, you’ll rest more.

Spanish transition words to compare and contrast ideas

Every category has a favorite word or phrase. This time, “but”.

• Voy a las 7, pero de la mañana no de la tarde. – I’m coming at 7 but in the morning not in the evening.

A pesar de: despite / in spite of

It adds a contrasting idea in a more polite way. Use it with a noun or an infinitive.

• A pesar del calor, ellos siguieron trabajando. – In spite of the heat, they kept on working. 
• A pesar de correr tan rápido, perdió. – Despite running so fast, he lost.

Al contrario / contrariamente / por el contrario: on the contrary / as opposed to / contrary to

• No me dijiste la verdad, al contrario , seguiste mintiendo todo el tiempo. – You didn’t tell me the truth, on the contrary, you kept lying the whole time. 
• Contrariamente a lo que se creía, esas teorías resultaron acertadas. – Contrary to what it was believed, those theories were right.

You can add some nuance to your regular pero transition with sino .

Be careful, you can also find si no in Spanish which has a totally different meaning. Si no is used for conditionals in Spanish . In English, its equivalent would be “if”.

• No eran pocos, sino muchos amigos. – They were not a few but a lot of friends.

Sin embargo: however / nevertheless

A fine transition phrase to start improving your Spanish.

• Yo quería responder, sin embargo , no encontré las palabras adecuadas . – I wanted to respond, however, I couldn’t find the right words.

No obstante: However / nevertheless

This Spanish transition is not distinct from the latter in meaning, only in terms of politeness. No obstante is a formal expression.

• Ellas hicieron promesas. No obstante , ellas nunca las cumplieron. – They made promises. Nevertheless, they never fulfilled them.

Aunque: although / while / even though / even if

Common transition word in Spanish with a lot of equivalent words in English. We know these are the words and phrases that give you headaches but no worries, it’s simpler than it looks.

• Aunque haga frío, no necesito usar un abrigo así como tú. – Although it’s cold, I don’t need to wear a sweater just like you

Spanish transition words to show a result

In this kind of transition, we’ll find more words together to provide a specific meaning.

Por esta razón: for this reason

• El conductor del programa fue muy ofensivo con los invitados, por esta razón ellos se retiraron antes de tiempo. – The host of the program was very offensive to the guests, which is why they left early.  

Por consiguiente / por lo tanto: therefore / thus

More formal than the first one, this Spanish transition phrase is also used to convey the outcome.

• Estudié todos los tipos posibles de verbos reflexivos en Español. Por lo tanto , estoy listo para el examen. – I studied all possible types of reflexive verbs in Spanish. Therefore, I am ready for the exam.

Por lo tanto is in the middle between formality and informality. People like using it a lot.

Como resultado: as a result

• Tuve un accidente, y como resultado , perdí mi carro. – I had an accident. As a result, I lost my car.

En consecuencia / a consecuencia de: as a consequence / as a result of / because of

• En consecuencia , por no seguir las reglas, fueron expulsados. – As a consequence of not following the rules, they got expelled. 
• Las calles se inundaron a consecuencia del aguacero. – The streets flooded as a result of the heavy rain.

Por eso / Por esto: Therefore / for this reason / that’s why

In Spanish, these two are informal. Use this transition often to add naturality to your sentences.

• Son las mismas camas, por eso tienen el mismo precio. – They are the same beds, that’s why they have the same price.

Así que / de modo que: so

A phrase with these words is simple, and beginners widely use it. 

• Me faltó una palabra de la lección de inglés, de modo que no completé la frase. – I missed a word from the English lesson so I didn’t complete the phrase.

Spanish transition words to emphasize an idea

Add these Spanish transition words and phrases every time you can. There is almost no difference in the formality level for the following phrases.

Sobre todo / especialmente: particularly / especially / above all / mainly

• Esas palabras de transición en español no son difíciles, sobre todo las de énfasis. – Those Spanish transition words are not difficult, particularly the emphasis ones. 
• No quiero estudiar la misma lección sobre todo . – I don’t want to study the same lesson above all. 
• El tiempo vuela especialmente cuando juego. – Time flies especially when I play.

Principalmente: especially / particularly / mainly

The idea for this Spanish transition is to demonstrate we have other options yet we are choosing one in specific.

Even when sobre todo and principalmente use the same words in English, they have that small difference in Spanish. These types of differences are quite common and practicing will help you tell them apart.

• He usado todas mis faldas muchas veces, principalmente las negras. – I’ve used all my skirts many times, mainly the black ones.

Efectivamente / realmente: effectively / actually / really / truly

Used at the beginning or at the end of the phrase. For example:

• Esa oración es efectivamente correcta. – That sentence is effectively correct. 
• No estoy seguro de si ellos me van a ayudar realmente . – I’m not sure if they are really going to help me.

De hecho: in fact / indeed / as a matter of fact

• Para aprender no es necesario ser un genio. De hecho , para aprender solo se necesita dedicación. – It isn’t necessary to be a genius to learn. In fact, the only thing you need to learn is dedication.

Spanish transition words to summarize

En otras palabras: in other words

This transition can help you both summarize and give a better explanation.

• En otras palabras , para finalmente encontrar la cura, debemos comprar muchos tipos de químicos. – In other words, to finally find the cure, we must buy many types of chemicals.

Después de todo: after all

• Después de todo , casi terminamos con este artículo sobre transiciones en español. – After all, we’re almost finished with this article about the transitions in Spanish.

En general: in general

• En general , para terminar una idea, usamos este tipo de palabra de transición. – In general, to finish an idea, we use this kind of transition word.

En resumen / para resumir / en síntesis: to sum up / in summary / in short / in a nutshell

• Para resumir , estos tipos de transiciones son muy útiles. – To sum up, these types of transitions are very helpful. 
• En síntesis , para dar la oración final perfecta en una conversación, usa estos tipos de transiciones. – In summary, to provide the perfect ending sentence in a conversation, use these types of transitions

Final Thoughts

In the end, it doesn’t matter which Spanish transition words you choose to use, as long as you do use them, your speech will have a sense of organization.

Needless to say, there is a time for informal and a time for formal transitions. Spanish could be a relaxed, rich language but the formality is something we can’t overlook.

You’re probably itching to start putting some transition words on to use. So go ahead and sign up for a free private class or a 7-day free trial of our group classes so you can practice what you learned!

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Spanish Transition Words to Improve Writing

In my last post about how to teach writing in Spanish, I shared tips about the importance of providing templates and examples for your lower-level language students.  This next post will teach you how to use lists of 101 Spanish transition words , to drastically improve student writing.

I don’t know about you, but those short, choppy sentences drive me nuts when I’m correcting essays or presentations.  If only they knew how to use transition words . . . .

When I was a language student writing my own compositions and essays, I was always searching for good transition words to help me write more fluently.  This is something that we were very rarely taught but would have been so helpful.

As a language teacher, I spent so much time teaching my students how to write longer sentences to make their compositions better.  After I got their compositions back, I would write sample sentences on the board and show them how to combine the sentences using a few key transition words.

But why did I wait until after they had failed to show them how to succeed?  That just doesn’t make sense and led to frustration on my part and on their parts!!

To alleviate this writing problem, I created lists of 101   Spanish transition words .

100 Spanish Transition Words

As the years passed, these lists evolved into leveled lists for beginners, intermediate learners, and advanced learners with sample sentences for each one so they could see how each would be used in a sentence.  They look like this.

Levels 1 + 2  get List #1, which includes basic transition words .

I divide my transition words into the following categories:

• Time (first, next, later, 2 days ago, afterward, sometimes, in the morning, at night)
• Adding Additional Information (for example, in addition, normally)
• Combining Short Sentences into Longer Sentences (but, so, also, too, still, however)
• Concluding (finally, in conclusion, lastly, in the end)

Level 3 gets  List #2, more advanced transition words :

• Time (at the beginning, suddenly, at that moment, a little while later)
• Expressing Opinions (in my opinion, according to, in fact, for the most part, therefore)
• Additional Helpful Expressions (at least, instead of, thanks to, without)

Levels 4 + 5  get List #3, college-level transition words :

• Time (back then, nowadays, since, already)
• Expressing Opinions (it’s important that, to a large extent, given that, despite, on one hand)
• Conditions (in order to, so that, provided that, even if)
• Comparing and Contrasting (in contrast to, similar to, different from, the same as)
• Consequences (upon seeing, as a result of, consequently, due to)

These leveled lists are a great way to differentiate within your classroom.  If your more advanced students and high achievers are looking for more, give them a more advanced list.

You’ll be amazed by the progress in their writing, just by incorporating these handy transition words.

You can make these lists in a variety of ways:

• Make your own lists with key transition words.
• Have students keep 2 pages in their notebooks for transition words.  When you come across one in your teaching, have them write down the word, the meaning, and a sample sentence.
• Get ready-made  Spanish   transition word lists to print and hand out for student reference.

Get a free copy of the Level 1 Transition Words in my Free Resource Library.

JOIN THE FREE RESOURCE LIBRARY!

Hope these Spanish transition words tips were helpful.

Be sure to check out the next article in this writing series about the editing process and using rubrics to improve student writing.

Happy Teaching! ~Sherry

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30 essential spanish transition words and phrases for everyday conversations.

The difference between mastering Spanish vocabulary and grammar and being able to hold a fluid, casual conversation in Spanish is quite vast. That’s because – just like in English – a lot of the nuance and fluidity in a conversation is due just as much to little, seemingly meaningless words as it is to vocabulary and proper verb conjugation.

These little ‘meaningless’ words and phrases are also known as linking words or transition words. As a native English speaker, I had no idea just how important they were until I realized that I had no idea how to say them in my host country’s language. A fact which often left me frustrated and frequently caused me to either: 1) come to a dead stop mid-sentence, or 2) simply insert the English word in place of the Spanish word I didn’t know, leaving whoever was listening to me totally confused or amused.

To spare you and your listeners the same amusing confusion and frustration, I decided to compile a list of 30 essential Spanish words that helped me take my conversations from stilted to fluid.

30 Essential Spanish Transition Words and Phrases

• Aunque – even though, although
• Además – furthermore, in addition to
• Mientras – meanwhile
• Por lo menos – at least
• Entonces – then
• Pues – well
• Como – like, as
• Al principio; al final/por ultimo – to start, in the first place; to finish, in the end
• Desde luego – of course, certainly
• Ya / todavía – yet, already / still
• Asi que; por lo tanto – that’s why; for that reason
• Por si acaso – in case
• Lo/la que sea; donde sea; cuando sea; cualquier – whatever; wherever; whenever; whichever
• Por ejemplo – for example
• Sobre todos – above all, especially
• Por fin – finally
• Un rato, un ratito – A little while
• Luego – next, then
• De repente – suddenly
• Sino – rather, but, instead
• Apenas de – barely
• De todas formas, de todas maneras – in any case
• Por otro lado – on the other hand
• Sin embargo – nonetheless
• De hecho – in fact
• Pues nada, venga – anyway…
• Sabes – y’know
• Es que – honestly, I have no translation for this one, but it’s one of those non-meaning albeit ubiquitous conversational words like ‘like’ in English. As in, “Like, so are we gonna go to the movies, or maybe, like, get some food, cuz I’m, like, hungry as hell.”
• A ver – let’s see
• Qué va – no way! I dun beleevit. Yeah, right.

Of course, the list above isn’t a comprehensive collection of all  Spanish transition words – click here and here for more.

What are some Spanish transition words and phrases that you’ve found useful? Share them in the comments!

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7 Types of Spanish Transition Phrases to Win Any Argument

“He who knows only his own side of the argument knows little of that.” —  John Stuart Mill.

I don’t know about you, but I enjoy a good healthy debate every once in a while.

Provided the discussion doesn’t get personal and participants don’t get offended, it can be a great way to learn.

Moreover, if you are learning a second language, having a debate in your target language is a great way to practice and refine your skills.

So, if you want to win an argument in Spanish, what should you do?

Over my years of arguing with friends and colleagues, I have come to one important conclusion. The key to winning an argument is not how strongly you can assert your ideas. The secret is to simply have better logic.

The more logical your points, the more likely you are to win.

If you want to start logically defining your arguments in Spanish, you will need some key vocabulary called Spanish transition phrases.

What transition phrases allow you to do is to set up an argument in a logical sequence.

Some examples of transition phrases in English would be ‘on the one hand’, ‘therefore’, ‘thus’, and ‘in conclusion’.

For this article, instead of giving you a list of random examples of these types of phrases in Spanish, I thought I would provide a flowing argument the whole way through.

And the point that I’m going to argue is:

‘Why every English native should learn Spanish.’

So there is my challenge. Let’s see if I can pull it off.

And feel free to debate me in the comments—even if you agree 😉

1. How to open your argument

The first place you need to start building your argument is with a solid opening.

A strong opening will help you transition your listener into your main points in a logical way.

There are two Spanish transition phrases you can use to open your argument:

English: In the first place… Español: En primer lugar…

English: To begin with… Español: Para empezar…

For the point I’m going to argue in the article, I will start with why you should learn a language in general because this is the first place where someone could argue against me.

English: To begin with , I have to talk about the importance of language learning. Español: Para empezar , tengo que hablar de la importancia del aprendizaje de idiomas.

English: In the first place , the goal of learning another language is very important… Español: En primer lugar , el objetivo de aprender otro idioma es muy importante…

Here I have taken a good position—language learning is super important. But, I’ll need to explain why.

Note, I’ve also written an article detailing many more reasons to learn Spanish , you can also use any one of these ideas if you also wanted to take on this debate amongst your friends.

2. Two Spanish transition phrases to back up your point

If you want to be convincing, it is always a good idea to back up your point with logic or evidence.

To do this in English you can use phrases such as ‘because’ and ‘since’. In Spanish, these are:

English: Because… Español: Porque…

English: Since… Español: Ya que…

So to back up, and complete, my opening statement I’ll say:

English: In the first place, the goal of learning another language is very important since it improves your brain, it helps you with opportunities to find work, and it increases your knowledge of other cultures. Español: En primer lugar, el objetivo de aprender otro idioma es muy importante  ya que mejora el cerebro, te ayuda con las oportunidades para encontrar trabajo, y aumenta su conocimiento de otras culturas.

Now that I have set up the importance of language learning, I’ll next need to transition to more specific arguments for Spanish.

3. How to add to your case

Once you have successfully opened your argument, you’ll need to further build your case.

I have already said that language learning is important. Now I need to start building towards Spanish being the number one language to choose.

In order to strengthen your argument you can use these two transitional phrases:

English: Second(ly), third(ly)… Español: En segundo lugar, tercer lugar…

English: Further / also / additionally… Español: Además…

Here is why I think Spanish is the best:

English:  Secondly , you should learn Spanish because it is the second most spoken language in the world by the number of native speakers, and is spoken in the fourth-largest number of countries by language. Español: En segundo lugar , deberías aprender español porque es la segunda lengua más hablada en el mundo por el número de los hablantes nativos, y se habla en el cuarto mayor número de países por idioma.

English: Further , Spanish is one of the easiest languages to learn. Español: Además , el español es uno de los idiomas más fáciles de aprender.

English: Also , Spanish is a good language to learn because the food is amazing, the culture is fascinating and people are very friendly. Español: Además , el español es un buen idioma para aprender porque la comida es increíble, la cultura es fascinante y la gente es muy amable.

If you are curious as to where I got my facts above, here are the sources I used from Wikipedia: List of languages by the number of countries and  List of languages by the number of native speakers .

4. How to introduce the other side of the argument

One of the best techniques to win an argument is to not only present your side but to rebut the opposing views before the opposition has a chance.

I mentioned in the previous section that Spanish is the second most spoken language by the number of native speakers. The obvious thought may be: why not learn the first language?

To introduce opposing sides of an argument, use these phrases:

English: About / regarding… Español: Respecto a…

English: As to / with regards to… Español: En cuanto a…

English: On the other hand… Español: Por otra parte…

Here is how I’ll introduce the opposing side:

English:  With regards to  the most spoken language by the number of natives, mandarin, yes it is true that it is spoken by a lot of people… Español: En cuanto a la lengua más hablada por el número de nativos, mandarina, sí es cierto que se habla por muchas personas…

This is how you can introduce the opposing idea, but you’ll need a few more Spanish transition phrases to rebut it.

5. How to argue against the opposing idea

To refute the opposing sides of your argument, you’ll need these phrases:

English: But… Español: Pero…

English: However / nevertheless / nonetheless… Español: Sin embargo…

Now I can complete the idea from the last section:

English: With regards to the most spoken language by the number of natives, mandarin, yes it is true that it is spoken by a lot of people, nonetheless it is difficult to learn and is only spoken in three countries. Español: En cuanto a la lengua más hablada por el número de nativos, mandarina, sí es cierto que se habla por muchas personas,  sin embargo es difícil aprender y sólo se habla en tres países.

6. How to deduce or infer

What can you deduce or infer from a rock-solid argument?

In English, you would transition to make a deduction with phrases like ‘so’ or ‘therefore’. There are five phrases you can use to do this in Spanish:

English: Therefore… Español: Por (lo) tanto…

English: So… Español: Así que…

English: Hence / therefore… Español: Por eso…

English: Then… Español: Entonces…

English: Accordingly / in consequence… Español: En consecuencia…

Before I wrap up with the final conclusion, here is the obvious deduction from the points made thus far:

English: Language learning is important and Spanish is the best language to learn, therefore , if you haven’t already started, you have to start right away. Español: El aprendizaje de idiomas es importante y español es el mejor idioma para aprender, por lo tanto , si todavía no lo has empezado, tienes que empezar ahora mismo.

7. How to conclude or finish

Of course, the last thing to do is finish your argument well.

When you want to transition to your final statements, try to use the following Spanish phrases:

English: Ultimately… Español: Por último…

English: To end… Español: Para terminar…

English: In conclusion… Español: En conclusión…

Note, you’ll need to be careful with prepositions here, especially for por and para .

Here are my final thoughts on a debate that is very close to my heart:

English: In conclusion , Spanish is not only one of the most widely spoken languages in the world but it is easy to learn and you will have incredible experiences if you travel to Spanish-speaking countries. I have enjoyed learning Spanish a lot and I think you will too. Español: En conclusión , el español no sólo es uno de los idiomas más hablados en el mundo, sino es fácil de aprender y tendrás experiencias increíbles si viajas a los países hispanohablantes. He disfrutado mucho de aprender español y creo que tú también lo disfrutarás.  

In the end, the most important thing to do is remind the audience of all of your strongest arguments.

Are you convinced? Did I win you over?

If you want to build a solid argument, use the above Spanish transition phrases to logically move from your first point to the next, to the next.

If you make the right transitions logically, you’ll hopefully win the hearts and minds of your listeners.

How else can you use Spanish transition phrases to win an argument?

Reader Interactions

November 27, 2016 at 5:57 pm

I’m loving your articles. They are very well-written and researched and presented, and they should be an asset to any language instructor’s material bank! I just have a couple of minor suggestions regarding a couple of your Spanish translations of your English arguments above. The first thing I noticed was in your 3rd point at the bottom: “El español es un buen lenguaje aprender porque……” You need a preposition in between “lenguaje” (por cierto, yo pondría idioma o lengua en vez de lenguaje) and “aprender”, such as “Es un buen idioma para aprender….” or “es un buen idioma de aprender..” Also, the last paragraph of your post, you need a “de” after “fácil” (fácil de aprender) and “he disfrutado mucho DEL aprendizaje….” Hope that helps 🙂

January 22, 2017 at 1:12 am

Hola Laura, thanks for your kind words and for the suggestions. You’re right, “es un buen idioma para aprender” is better, and so is “fácil de aprender”, I have updated both of these suggestions. For “del aprendizaje”, I have updated this to “aprendiendo” because it sounds more natural. ¡Gracias de nuevo!

November 23, 2017 at 12:34 pm

Can you address the cultural issue that Latinos tend to want to create division when in a debate, even or perhaps especially with family?

November 23, 2017 at 1:02 pm

Haha, thanks for the comment Brad. I think debates around the family dinner table are in fact universal everywhere!! (At least they are at my family gatherings)

April 29, 2021 at 5:35 pm

I’d say that rather than “create division”, it’s more of a healthy debate (or maybe just “create a diversion”) rather than the overly careful some of us may have been raised (never discuss politics, religion…) I love this about my Hispano-American friends! Much more fun than discussing what color to paint the living room.

April 29, 2021 at 6:06 pm

Thanks for sharing Ela! 🙂

April 29, 2021 at 11:41 pm

I really liked this article, lots of good connector words included. One thing though surely it was ‘una broma’ when you said Spanish is easy to learn 😄

April 30, 2021 at 10:36 am

Hahaha, yes Sorcha, that’s a great point!! 🙂 I should have said ‘easier’ than other languages but definitely not easy!!!

May 1, 2021 at 2:13 pm

Tiene raison, en su primero argument (sera buen tener la plabra en espnanol) que es importante aprender un otro idioma. Pero por un hablador (?speaker) de ingles, sera mejor aprender su propio idioma primero. Por lo tanto, Aprenderia los idiomas del cual viene ingles — el frances y el germano. Lo siento, no puedo anadir los accentos espanol.)

May 1, 2021 at 2:34 pm

Gracias Goyo 🙂

June 15, 2023 at 8:13 pm

An excellent presentation . . .

June 17, 2023 at 12:05 pm

Thanks Garry! 🙂

March 14, 2024 at 9:18 pm

Thank you for this exposition and for the phrases which I must add to my spreadsheet. I really enjoyed reading the article. It would be nice to remember it!!

March 15, 2024 at 6:08 am

Thanks Dianne, I’m glad you enjoyed the article! 🙂

March 15, 2024 at 6:28 pm

Thank you, Andrew. This was an excellent lesson. Not only did I learn important transition phrases, but your manner of teaching reinforced each phrase in a way that enabled me to integrate the lesson more easily.

March 20, 2024 at 1:44 pm

Thanks Jay, I appreciate the feedback! 🙂

March 29, 2024 at 4:30 pm

I’m always looking for easier / more natural (for me) ways to say things.. and ChatGPT just helped me realize that “por último” is only to be used while presenting a list of things.

I was trying to say ultimately as in “at the end of the day”. I will just stick with “a fin de cuentas” jajaja but now I know! Thanks Andrew! 😊

Is there an article for the Spanish versions of our most common English expressions?

March 31, 2024 at 5:57 pm

Hola Simone, we have to be really careful with ChatGPT as it is a probabilistic algorithm and it is not fact checked. I have seen it get several things wrong in my own testing of Spanish sentences. It’s a fun tool but it must be checked by a human. I’ve done a Youtube video on the top 50 Spanish expressions. In the video I talk about the best translations of common English expressions where they fit with the Spanish expressions.

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Spanish Essay Phrases: 40 Useful Phrases for an Impressive Writeup

7  Comments

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!

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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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Must-have Spanish Transition Words for Opinion Writing

Are you looking to help your students take their writing to the next level by using Spanish transition words for opinion writing?

Opinion writing is an essential part of language arts instruction, and it becomes even more important for bilingual students who need to develop strong writing skills in two languages. When it comes to Spanish opinion writing, one of the most effective ways to improve the quality of your students’ work is by teaching them how to use transition words.

Transition words are words or phrases that connect ideas and provide coherence to a text. In opinion writing, they help to make the writer’s argument more persuasive by making the flow of ideas more logical and clear. 

So what opinion transition words should you teach to your dual language students?

Your Go-To Spanish Transition Words for Opinion Writing

Primero, primero que nada: first, first of all.

These transition words are used to introduce the first point or argument in an opinion piece. For example, “Primero, creo que es importante reciclar para proteger el medio ambiente” (First, I believe that it is important to recycle to protect the environment).

En segundo lugar: Second

This phrase is used to introduce the second point or argument in an opinion piece. For example, “En segundo lugar, es necesario reducir el uso de plásticos de un solo uso” (Second, it is necessary to reduce the use of single-use plastics).

Por otro lado: On the other hand

This phrase is used to introduce a contrasting point or argument. For example, “Creo que el reciclaje es importante, pero por otro lado, también es importante reducir el consumo de energía” (I believe recycling is important, but on the other hand, it is also important to reduce energy consumption).

Además: Furthermore, Moreover

These transition words are used to add supporting details or arguments. For example, “Además, el reciclaje no solo protege el medio ambiente, sino que también ayuda a conservar los recursos naturales” (Furthermore, recycling not only protects the environment but also helps conserve natural resources).

En conclusión: In conclusion

This phrase is used to signal the end of an opinion piece and summarize the main arguments. For example, “En conclusión, es importante tomar medidas para proteger el medio ambiente, incluyendo el reciclaje y la reducción del consumo de energía y plásticos de un solo uso” (In conclusion, it is important to take measures to protect the environment, including recycling and reducing energy consumption and single-use plastics).

Get your Spanish Transition Words for Opinion Writing for Free!

These are just a few examples of the many Spanish opinion writing transition words that students can use to improve the quality of their writing. You can introduce these transition words to students in the context of a lesson or writing assignment and encourage them to use them in their own writing.

If you’re looking for more, download the free Spanish opinion transition words bookmarks and posters or click the image below.

How do you teach them?

To reinforce the use of these transition words, you can provide sentence frames for students to complete using the transition words. For example, “En primer lugar, creo que ____ porque ____” (First, I believe that ____ because ____). This will help students practice using the transition words in context and develop their own arguments and opinions.

In conclusion, teaching Spanish opinion writing transition words is a valuable strategy to improve your bilingual students’ writing skills. By using these words and phrases, your students can create more persuasive and coherent argumentative texts, which will help them succeed in school and in their future careers.

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Spanish Words to Use in an Essay

Are you writing an essay in Spanish and aren't sure of the best way to start the next paragraph? Or maybe you're trying to think of some connectors to make your essay flow better. Look no further! In this article, we've prepared a list of words that will help you write that Spanish essay without even breaking a sweat.

Looking to learn more phrases in Spanish? Check these articles out!

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33 Transition Words and Phrases

Transitional terms give writers the opportunity to prepare readers for a new idea, connecting the previous sentence to the next one.

Many transitional words are nearly synonymous: words that broadly indicate that “this follows logically from the preceding” include accordingly, therefore, and consequently . Words that mean “in addition to” include moreover, besides, and further . Words that mean “contrary to what was just stated” include however, nevertheless , and nonetheless .

as a result : THEREFORE : CONSEQUENTLY

The executive’s flight was delayed and they accordingly arrived late.

in or by way of addition : FURTHERMORE

The mountain has many marked hiking trails; additionally, there are several unmarked trails that lead to the summit.

at a later or succeeding time : SUBSEQUENTLY, THEREAFTER

Afterward, she got a promotion.

even though : ALTHOUGH

She appeared as a guest star on the show, albeit briefly.

in spite of the fact that : even though —used when making a statement that differs from or contrasts with a statement you have just made

They are good friends, although they don't see each other very often.

in addition to what has been said : MOREOVER, FURTHERMORE

I can't go, and besides, I wouldn't go if I could.

as a result : in view of the foregoing : ACCORDINGLY

The words are often confused and are consequently misused.

in a contrasting or opposite way —used to introduce a statement that contrasts with a previous statement or presents a differing interpretation or possibility

Large objects appear to be closer. Conversely, small objects seem farther away.

used to introduce a statement that is somehow different from what has just been said

These problems are not as bad as they were. Even so, there is much more work to be done.

used as a stronger way to say "though" or "although"

I'm planning to go even though it may rain.

in addition : MOREOVER

I had some money to invest, and, further, I realized that the risk was small.

in addition to what precedes : BESIDES —used to introduce a statement that supports or adds to a previous statement

These findings seem plausible. Furthermore, several studies have confirmed them.

because of a preceding fact or premise : for this reason : THEREFORE

He was a newcomer and hence had no close friends here.

from this point on : starting now

She announced that henceforth she would be running the company.

in spite of that : on the other hand —used when you are saying something that is different from or contrasts with a previous statement

I'd like to go; however, I'd better not.

as something more : BESIDES —used for adding information to a statement

The city has the largest population in the country and in addition is a major shipping port.

all things considered : as a matter of fact —used when making a statement that adds to or strengthens a previous statement

He likes to have things his own way; indeed, he can be very stubborn.

for fear that —often used after an expression denoting fear or apprehension

He was concerned lest anyone think that he was guilty.

in addition : ALSO —often used to introduce a statement that adds to and is related to a previous statement

She is an acclaimed painter who is likewise a sculptor.

at or during the same time : in the meantime

You can set the table. Meanwhile, I'll start making dinner.

BESIDES, FURTHER : in addition to what has been said —used to introduce a statement that supports or adds to a previous statement

It probably wouldn't work. Moreover, it would be very expensive to try it.

in spite of that : HOWEVER

It was a predictable, but nevertheless funny, story.

in spite of what has just been said : NEVERTHELESS

The hike was difficult, but fun nonetheless.

without being prevented by (something) : despite—used to say that something happens or is true even though there is something that might prevent it from happening or being true

Notwithstanding their youth and inexperience, the team won the championship.

if not : or else

Finish your dinner. Otherwise, you won't get any dessert.

more correctly speaking —used to introduce a statement that corrects what you have just said

We can take the car, or rather, the van.

in spite of that —used to say that something happens or is true even though there is something that might prevent it from happening or being true

I tried again and still I failed.

by that : by that means

He signed the contract, thereby forfeiting his right to the property.

for that reason : because of that

This tablet is thin and light and therefore very convenient to carry around.

immediately after that

The committee reviewed the documents and thereupon decided to accept the proposal.

because of this or that : HENCE, CONSEQUENTLY

This detergent is highly concentrated and thus you will need to dilute it.

while on the contrary —used to make a statement that describes how two people, groups, etc., are different

Some of these species have flourished, whereas others have struggled.

NEVERTHELESS, HOWEVER —used to introduce a statement that adds something to a previous statement and usually contrasts with it in some way

It was pouring rain out, yet his clothes didn’t seem very wet.

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Prepositions, ending a sentence with, is 'irregardless' a real word, 8 more grammar terms you used to know: special verb edition, point of view: it's personal, 31 useful rhetorical devices, grammar & usage, 7 pairs of commonly confused words, did we change the definition of 'literally', more commonly mispronounced words, the tangled history of 'it's' and 'its', more commonly misspelled words, 10 bird names that sound like insults (and sometimes are), eavesdrop, fiasco, and 8 more words with surprising origins, 'when pigs fly' and other barnyard idioms, the words of the week - mar. 29, 10 scrabble words without any vowels.