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Spanish Transition Words

Organize ideas with Spanish connectors for sequence, addition, contrast and conclusions.

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Spanish transition words for sequence

Primero and después establish order. Mientras tanto describes something happening in the meantime.

These connectors guide the reader through ideas. For calendar and clock meanings, see telling time.

  • primerofirst (sequence) · pree-MEH-roh
  • en segundo lugarsecondly · en seh-GOON-doh loo-GAHR
  • luegonext / then · LWEH-goh
  • despuésafterward · dehs-PWEHS
  • posteriormentesubsequently · pohs-teh-ryor-MEHN-teh
  • mientras tantomeanwhile · MYEHN-trahs TAHN-toh
  • previamentebeforehand · preh-byah-MEHN-teh
  • al mismo tiempoat the same time · ahl MEES-moh TYEHM-poh
  • finalmentefinally · fee-nahl-MEHN-teh
  • para empezarto begin with · PAH-rah ehm-peh-SAHR
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Spanish Transition Words: the full list

Review the vocabulary by topic, then use the printable worksheet to check your recall.

Quick answer: first (sequence) is primero, secondly is en segundo lugar, next / then is luego, afterward is después, subsequently is posteriormente, meanwhile is mientras tanto, beforehand is previamente, at the same time is al mismo tiempo, finally is finalmente, and to begin with is para empezar.

Spanish transition words for sequence

EnglishSpanishSay itChanges to
first (sequence)primeropree-MEH-roh
secondlyen segundo lugaren seh-GOON-doh loo-GAHR
next / thenluegoLWEH-goh
afterwarddespuésdehs-PWEHS
subsequentlyposteriormentepohs-teh-ryor-MEHN-teh
meanwhilemientras tantoMYEHN-trahs TAHN-toh
beforehandpreviamentepreh-byah-MEHN-teh
at the same timeal mismo tiempoahl MEES-moh TYEHM-poh
finallyfinalmentefee-nahl-MEHN-teh
to begin withpara empezarPAH-rah ehm-peh-SAHR

Spanish connectors for addition and examples

EnglishSpanishSay itChanges to
alsotambiéntahm-BYEHN
furthermoreademásah-deh-MAHS
likewiseasimismoah-see-MEES-moh
in the same waydel mismo mododehl MEES-moh MOH-doh
for examplepor ejemplopor eh-HEHM-ploh
in particularen particularen pahr-tee-koo-LAHR
that is to sayes decirehs deh-SEER
in other wordsen otras palabrasen OH-trahs pah-LAH-brahs
in factde hechodeh EH-choh
above allsobre todoSOH-breh TOH-doh

Spanish transitions for contrast and conclusions

EnglishSpanishSay itChanges to
howeversin embargoseen ehm-BAHR-goh
neverthelessno obstantenoh ohbs-TAHN-teh
on the other handpor otro ladopor OH-troh LAH-doh
in contrasten cambioen KAHM-byoh
on the contraryal contrarioahl kohn-TRAH-ryoh
even soaun asíown ah-SEEAun has no accent here: it means even, not still.
thereforepor lo tantopor loh TAHN-toh
consequentlypor consiguientepor kohn-see-GYEHN-teh
in summaryen resumenen reh-SOO-mehn
in conclusionen conclusiónen kohn-kloo-SYOHN
Spanish Transition Words chart with English meanings and Spanish pronunciation
Spanish Transition Words chart with English meanings and Spanish pronunciation. Download the chart · Printable worksheet · Save to Pinterest

Questions about spanish transition words

What are transition words in Spanish?

They connect and organize ideas. Examples include primero for sequence, además for addition and sin embargo for contrast.

How do you say however in Spanish?

Sin embargo is a common translation. No obstante often means nevertheless or however and can sound more formal.

What is the difference between además and también?

Both add information. También usually means also or too, while además often introduces a further point.

How do you say therefore in Spanish?

Por lo tanto means therefore. Por consiguiente is a more formal option meaning consequently.

Does aun así need an accent?

No: aun así means even so. Aún with an accent commonly means still or yet.

What is the difference between en cambio and al contrario?

En cambio introduces a comparison or contrast. Al contrario directly reverses or rejects a preceding idea.

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