Difference between pero, sino and sino que in Spanish (but)

In Spanish we can say "but" in three different ways: pero, sino or sino que.

This is generally confusing for English speakers because both conjunctions have a similar function in the sentence.

Learn about the difference between pero, sino and sino que 

Pero

Pero is a conjunction that is used in a second clause to make a contrast or make a limitation to the idea expressed in the previous clause.

Have a look at these examples:

In both examples above, the second clauses after pero are expressing a contrast to the first part.

In the examples above, the second clauses after pero are expressing a limitation to the first part.

Sino

Sino is also a conjunction, we use it to correct what has been said in the first part of the sentence. In the first part of the sentence there is always a negative element and after sino we substitute that element for another.

Notice how in all the examples above first there is a negative part of the sentence and the second part introduced by sino substitutes the negative element from the first part.

We need to give special attention to negative sentences because both pero and sino can be used and they seem very similar.

Let's see how to differentiate them:

In the first example we are adding an idea that makes a contrast with the first negative idea. (pero)

In the second example we are not adding an idea but giving a substitute to the first negative idea. (sino)

Sino que...

In all the examples above with sino, the verb in the second part of the sentence is omitted because it is the same verb as in the first part so we do not need to mention it again: 

If we need a different conjugated verb in the second clause after sino, then we need to add "que" after sino.

See also How to say "not only but" in Spanish