Corrective contrast (sino, sino que)

You already know how to use pero to say "but". It adds contrasting information without rejecting the first part of the sentence.

Perhaps nutrition is not easy, but it is important.
Quizás la nutrición no es fácil, pero es importante.

Correcting facts with "sino"

When you want to reject the first part of a sentence and correct it, use sino ("but rather"). The first part of the sentence must be negative. Use sino when the correction doesn't include a conjugated verb.

I do not eat white bread, but whole grain, because it has fiber.
No como pan blanco, sino integral, porque tiene fibra.
The problem is not the cholesterol, but rather the ultra-processed foods.
El problema no es el colesterol, sino los ultraprocesados.

Adding a verb with "sino que"

If the correction introduces a new conjugated verb, use sino que.

Carbohydrates are not bad, but rather they give us energy.
Los carbohidratos no son malos, sino que nos dan energía.
He does not have a slow metabolism, but rather he does not exercise.
Él no tiene un metabolismo lento, sino que no hace ejercicio.

"Pero" vs. "sino"

Let's review. Use sino or sino que to replace a false statement with a true one.

Fasting is not a diet, but rather it is a custom.
El ayuno no es una dieta, sino que es una costumbre.

If you are just adding contrasting information—not replacing the first idea—stick to pero.

She eats a lot of protein, but she does not eat ultra-processed foods.
Ella come mucha proteína, pero no come ultraprocesados.
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