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sondern

German → American English

American English

rather

Konjunktion zur Einschränkung oder Korrektur nach einer Verneinung; drückt Gegensatz oder Ersatz aus.

Ich trinke nicht Kaffee, sondern Tee.

Use sondern after a negation to correct or contrast: 'nicht ... sondern ...'. It usually means 'but rather' or 'instead' rather than simple 'but'.

Related words

Explore nearby vocabulary picked for learners studying this word.

rather instead aber doch entweder stattdessen

Frequently asked questions

What does 'sondern' mean in English?
'Sondern' usually means 'but rather' or 'instead', especially after a negation.
How do you use 'sondern' in a sentence?
It commonly appears in the pattern 'nicht ... sondern ...' to contrast two alternatives.
What is the difference between 'aber' and 'sondern'?
'Aber' means 'but' in a general sense. 'Sondern' is used after a negation to replace one idea with another.