Spanish Transition Words (Conectores): The Complete Guide to Natural-Sounding Spanish

Spanish Transition Words (Conectores): The Complete Guide to Natural-Sounding Spanish

Spanish transition words—conectores—are the secret sauce that transforms choppy Spanish into flowing, captivating stories. Whether you’re sharing weekend adventures, explaining your dreams, or telling jokes with friends, these little words make your Spanish sound natural and engaging: primero, después, de repente, por cierto, o sea, total que…

If you’re just starting with Spanish connecting words, we recommend beginning with our essential Spanish conjunctions guide to master the basics like “pero vs sino” before diving into these advanced storytelling connectors.

This conversation-focused guide teaches you conectores through storytelling practice and speaking drills—not academic exercises. You’ll learn to think in Spanish narratives, not translate word lists.

How to Use This Guide for Speaking

Pick a story template, practice it out loud with the conectores, then tell your own version. These drills target conversation flow, helping you think in Spanish stories instead of English-to-Spanish translations.

Why Conectores Transform Your Spanish Conversations

Conectores are conversation glue. They help you hold the floor while you think, guide listeners through your stories, and make complex ideas feel effortless. Spanish speakers use them constantly—not just in formal writing, but in everyday chats, storytelling, and explanations.

Master these conversation tools, and your Spanish transforms from hesitant word-by-word translation into confident, flowing expression that keeps people engaged and wanting to hear more.

1. Time & Sequence: Building Your Story Flow

These are your narrative backbone—helping you tell compelling stories that keep listeners hooked from start to finish.

Time & Sequence Connectors

Essential Time Markers

primero "first"
Primero preparamos la salsa
"First we prepare the sauce"
luego / después "then/afterward"
Después cocinamos la pasta
"Then we cook the pasta"
mientras tanto "meanwhile"
Mientras tanto, pon la mesa, porfa
"Meanwhile, set the table, please"
al principio "at first"
Al principio me gustĂł la idea
"At first I liked the idea"
al final / finalmente "in the end/finally"
Al final, todo saliĂł perfecto
"In the end, everything turned out perfect"
entonces "then/so/at that moment"
LlegĂł tarde y entonces empezĂł la reuniĂłn
"He arrived late and then the meeting started"
pronto "soon"
Pronto sabremos los resultados
"Soon we'll know the results"
en cuanto / tan pronto como "as soon as"
En cuanto llegue, te aviso
"As soon as I arrive, I'll let you know"

Time Sequence Drill

⏱️ 60 seconds
1

Morning Coffee

Describe how you make your morning coffee using: primero → luego → después → al final

Ejemplo: Primero caliento el agua, luego pongo el café, después espero 3 minutos, y al final lo disfruto.

2. Addition: Building Ideas Naturally

Perfect for building arguments and adding supporting information naturally.

Addition Connectors

Adding Ideas

y "and"
Trabajo y también estudio por las noches
"I work and also study at night"
además "besides/furthermore"
Es una buena oferta; además, incluye envío
"It's a good offer; besides, it includes shipping"
también "also"
También podemos ir mañana
"We can also go tomorrow"
asimismo "likewise"
Asimismo, podemos evaluar otras opciones
"Likewise, we can evaluate other options"
aparte "aside from that"
Aparte, es muy barato
"Aside from that, it's very cheap"

Pro Tip

Además and también are easy wins for fluency—they appear near the top of most curated connector lists because they sound natural and are used constantly.

Speaking Practice: Building Ideas

⏱️ 2 minutes
1

Three Things

Choose a topic (your job, hobby, or city) and give three positive points using además, también, and y

Ejemplo: Me encanta mi trabajo porque aprendo mucho. Además, mis compañeros son súper amables. También tengo horarios flexibles y puedo trabajar desde casa.

3. Contrast & Concession: Sounding Thoughtful, Not Robotic

These help you sound nuanced and thoughtful, not like you’re reading from a script.

Contrast & Concession Connectors

Basic Contrast

pero "but"
QuerĂ­a salir, pero estaba lloviendo
"I wanted to go out, but it was raining"
sin embargo "however"
Estudié; sin embargo, no pasé
"I studied; however, I didn't pass"
no obstante "nevertheless"
Es caro; no obstante, vale la pena
"It's expensive; nevertheless, it's worth it"
en cambio "by contrast"
No fuimos al cine; en cambio, cocinamos en casa
"We didn't go to the movies; instead, we cooked at home"

Concession & Strong Contrast

aun asĂ­ "even so"
Aun asĂ­, me encantĂł la experiencia
"Even so, I loved the experience"
aunque "although/even if"
Aunque estoy cansado, voy
"Although I'm tired, I'm going"
a pesar de (que) "despite/although"
A pesar de la lluvia, salimos
"Despite the rain, we went out"
por el contrario "on the contrary"
No es fácil; por el contrario, es muy difícil
"It's not easy; on the contrary, it's very difficult"

Formality Level Alert

Sin embargo / no obstante feel formal; in casual speech, pero + intonation often sounds more natural. Use sin embargo in essays, emails, and reports.

Note: “Register” refers to the level of formality in language - formal vs casual, professional vs conversational.

Speaking Practice: Plot Twists

⏱️ 2 minutes
1

Story Reversal

Start with an expectation, then use 'sin embargo' or 'en cambio' to create a plot twist

Ejemplo: Iba corriendo al trabajo porque llegaba tarde. Sin embargo, cuando llegué, me di cuenta que era sábado.

4. Cause → Effect: Creating Compelling Story Logic

Master these to explain why things happened in your stories—making your adventures, mishaps, and discoveries feel inevitable and engaging.

Cause → Effect Connectors

Everyday Causation

porque "because"
No fui porque estaba enfermo
"I didn't go because I was sick"
por eso "that's why"
TenĂ­amos prisa; por eso pedimos un taxi
"We were in a hurry; that's why we ordered a taxi"
asĂ­ que "so"
LlovĂ­a, asĂ­ que cancelamos el picnic
"It was raining, so we canceled the picnic"

Formal Causation

por lo tanto "therefore"
Llegamos tarde; por lo tanto, perdimos la mesa
"We arrived late; therefore, we lost the table"
por consiguiente "consequently"
EstudiĂł mucho; por consiguiente, aprobĂł
"He studied a lot; consequently, he passed"
de modo que "so that/as a result"
LlovĂ­a, de modo que nos quedamos en casa
"It was raining, so we stayed home"

Latin American Usage

Por eso and así que carry most of the “so/that’s why” work in day-to-day speech; por lo tanto reads more formal.

Speaking Practice: Chain Reactions

⏱️ 2 minutes
1

Domino Stories

Create a chain reaction story: A happened, so B happened, which caused C. Use porque, asĂ­ que, por eso

Ejemplo: Me quedé dormido porque me acosté tardísimo. Así que llegué corriendo al trabajo. Por eso me olvidé el almuerzo y tuve que pedir delivery.

5. Examples & Clarification: Keeping Conversations Flowing

These are conversation lifesavers—buy you thinking time, help clarify your point, and keep listeners engaged when you’re searching for the right words.

Examples & Clarification

Examples & Reformulation

por ejemplo "for example"
Me encantan los cĂ­tricos; por ejemplo, la lima y la naranja
"I love citrus fruits; for example, lime and orange"
es decir "that is"
Llego tarde; es decir, como a las 9
"I'll arrive late; that is, around 9 o'clock"
o sea "I mean"
Llego tarde; o sea, empiecen sin mĂ­
"I'll arrive late; I mean, start without me"
en otras palabras "in other words"
Es un proceso abierto; en otras palabras, puedes proponer ideas
"It's an open process; in other words, you can propose ideas"

Nuance Note

O sea is highly conversational across Latin America—perfect for softening or reframing. Use es decir in neutral/formal contexts.

6. Emphasis, Ordering & Structure: For Presentations and Formal Speech

Essential toolkit for structured communication, whether speaking or writing.

Emphasis & Structure

Ordering & Structure

en primer lugar "first"
En primer lugar, definamos el objetivo
"First, let's define the objective"
en segundo lugar "second"
En segundo lugar, veamos las opciones
"Second, let's look at the options"
sobre todo "above all"
Me gusta la comida peruana, sobre todo el ceviche
"I like Peruvian food, especially ceviche"
especialmente "especially"
Me encanta viajar, especialmente a la playa
"I love to travel, especially to the beach"

Emphasis

de hecho "in fact"
De hecho, llegĂł antes que todos
"In fact, he arrived before everyone"
por supuesto "of course"
Por supuesto que puedes venir
"Of course you can come"
cabe mencionar "it's worth noting"
Cabe mencionar que es gratis
"It's worth noting that it's free"

Structure Practice

⏱️ 60 seconds
1

Mini-Pitch

Outline a 30-second mini-pitch using: en primer lugar → en segundo lugar → en conclusión

Ejemplo: En primer lugar, el producto es innovador. En segundo lugar, es barato. En conclusiĂłn, deberĂ­an comprarlo.

7. Purpose & Result

For expressing intentions and outcomes, especially useful in explanations.

Purpose & Result

Purpose & Result

para que (+ subjuntivo) "so that/in order that"
Estudio para que me asciendan
"I study so that they promote me"
a fin de (que) "so as to"
Lo repetĂ­ a fin de que quedara claro
"I repeated it so that it would be clear"
de manera que "so that/so as to"
Te aviso de manera que llegues a tiempo
"I'm letting you know so that you arrive on time"

Quick Rule

With para que / a fin de que, the verb that follows goes in subjunctive because the outcome is desired, not yet real.

8. Conditions & “If”-Frames: Essential for Daily Planning

Essential for making plans and discussing possibilities.

Conditions

Conditional Connectors

si "if"
Si tienes tiempo, vamos
"If you have time, let's go"
siempre que "as long as"
Siempre que llegues temprano, te guardo asiento
"As long as you arrive early, I'll save you a seat"
con tal de que "provided that"
Voy con tal de que no llueva
"I'll go provided that it doesn't rain"
a menos que "unless"
No salgo a menos que deje todo listo
"I'm not going out unless I leave everything ready"

Common Pattern

In real conditions, Spanish often uses present → future/imperative/present: Si puedes, avísame. / Si tienes, me llamas.

9. Wrap-Up & Summaries: Closing with Style

Perfect conversation and presentation closers.

Conclusions & Summaries

Conclusion Connectors

en resumen "in summary"
En resumen, necesitamos más tiempo
"In summary, we need more time"
en pocas palabras "in a nutshell"
En pocas palabras, fue un Ă©xito
"In a nutshell, it was a success"
en conclusiĂłn "in conclusion"
En conclusión, debemos practicar más
"In conclusion, we should practice more"
en fin "all in all"
En fin, fue un buen dĂ­a
"All in all, it was a good day"

Bonus: Conversational Fillers That Behave Like Linkers

Not strictly “transition words,” but you’ll hear them everywhere in Latin America:

Conversational Fillers

Pues… (well/so), Entonces… (so/then), Nada… (anyway…), Bueno… (well), Mira… (look…), O sea… (I mean…).

Great for buying time while you plan your sentence!

10 Micro-Drills (2–3 Minutos Total)

10 Micro-Drills

⏱️ 2-3 minutes total
1

Timeline

Tell about your morning using: primero → luego → después → al final

2

Two Reasons

Give two advantages of something using además and también

3

Contrast Switch

State an idea, then correct it with en cambio

4

Concession

Accept a point with aunque, but stick to your plan

5

Cause→Effect

Give a problem and its consequence using por lo tanto

6

Softening

Rephrase something using o sea

7

Clarity

Add an example using por ejemplo

8

Condition

Invite someone using si + imperative

9

Emphasis

Reinforce a fact using de hecho

10

Wrap-up

Close with en conclusiĂłn

Spanish Connectors by Level: Beginner → Intermediate → Advanced

Storytelling Connectors: From Basic to Advanced

Basic Connectors

yentoncesperoporquedespuéspor esoal finalpor ejemplobueno

Intermediate Connectors

de repenteo seamientras tantoademássin embargoen cambiopor ciertototal quehasta que

Advanced Connectors

resulta quede hecholo que pasa es quecabe decirpor si fuera pocomenos mal quemás aún

Your Storytelling Practice Plan

Daily Storytelling Flow (5 minutes)

  1. Pick your story: Choose something real from today, yesterday, or your plans
  2. Select 3 connectors from your current level (beginner/intermediate/advanced)
  3. Tell it out loud using those connectors
  4. Record yourself or practice with Amigo Lingo’s conversation partners
  5. Add drama: Use “de repente”, “resulta que”, or “total que” for plot twists

Result: Your Spanish starts sounding like natural storytelling, not word-by-word translation.

Transform Your Spanish Storytelling

Ready to captivate listeners with engaging Spanish stories? Practice with Amigo Lingo's conversation partners who help you master conectores through real storytelling practice.

Start Your Storytelling Journey

Storytelling Success Secrets

Keep Your Flow Natural

Don’t stack too many fancy conectores: Mix simple ones (entonces, y, pero) with dramatic ones (de repente, resulta que) for natural rhythm.

Match your personality: If you’re naturally dramatic, embrace “¡por si fuera poco!” If you’re laid-back, stick with “bueno, total que…”

Practice interruptions: Real conversations get interrupted. Use “o sea”, “es decir”, and “por cierto” to gracefully restart your story.

Common Mistakes (Fast Fixes)

Watch Out For These

Using pero when you need stronger contrast: If the shift is big—“however/nevertheless”—lean on sin embargo / no obstante in writing.

Forgetting formality levels: O sea is perfect in casual speech; swap to es decir in formal texts.

Over-explaining without signposts: Long sentences need porque → por eso/por lo tanto to stay coherent.

FAQ: Storytelling & Conversation Flow

How do I make conectores sound natural, not robotic? +
Practice them in complete stories, not isolated sentences. Use emotional context—when you're excited about a story, conectores flow naturally. Record yourself telling the same story 3 times; by the third time, they'll sound effortless.
Which conectores make me sound more like a native speaker? +
Focus on conversational gems: o sea (I mean), resulta que (it turns out), total que (so anyway), de repente (suddenly). These create natural pauses and drama that native speakers use constantly in storytelling.
How do I practice conectores for real conversations? +
Tell the same story using different conectores each time. Start with basic ones (entonces, pero), then add drama (de repente, por si fuera poco). Practice with conversation partners who can give immediate feedback on flow.
Do I need to learn formal conectores for casual conversation? +
Not initially. Start with conversational conectores that make stories engaging. Save formal ones (no obstante, por consiguiente) for when you need professional Spanish or academic writing skills.

Your Storytelling Challenge

Pick a simple story from your life (something funny, unexpected, or interesting that happened recently). Tell it three times:

  1. First time: Use only basic connectors (y, entonces, pero, porque)
  2. Second time: Add intermediate ones (de repente, además, sin embargo, por cierto)
  3. Third time: Include advanced ones (resulta que, por si fuera poco, total que)

Notice how your story becomes more engaging and natural-sounding with each version. This is how you transform from Spanish translator to Spanish storyteller.

Ready for the next level? Practice your stories with Amigo Lingo’s conversation partners who understand the magic of good conectores and can help you master the art of captivating Spanish storytelling.