(más) with accent mark vs (mas) without accent mark

Question

With some Spanish homonyms, the accent (‘) mark distiguishes the meaning.

(aún – still, yet) vs (aun – even) (él – he) vs (el – the) (sólo – only) vs (solo – alone)

But, there is (más - more) vs (mas-but)

I have a very good understanding of (más - more) but not such a good understanding of the conjunction (mas-but)

The Website Translator gives a very poor example of (mas) used as a conjunction (but).

Can you give me some example sentences with (mas) as a conjunction usage?

Don't be alarmed if you can't. I don't believe there are very many.

Any ideas?

Terrific thread! Very helpful. I never knew of the difference between aun with and without accent.. and this always confused me. Not anymore. - yahvey_hoffman, Aug 5, 2012

Answer 1

Puedes utilizar cualquier frase en la que haya un "pero" y sustituirlo por un "mas":

"Fuimos a comprar, pero la tienda estaba cerrada" = "Fuimos a comprar, mas la tienda estaba cerrada"

No sé en otros países, pero en España es muy raro escuchar "mas" en el lenguaje oral. Su uso se reserva, en general, al lenguaje escrito formal.

Otros ejemplos:

"El jugador no iba a jugar en el partido debido a su lesión, mas finalmente se recuperó y pudo participar.

"Dicen que es una ciudad como cualquier otra, mas en mi opinión es una de las más bellas del país".

Great information, Cordobesa. This info needs to somehow be applied to the translator. I agree with you…it is not very often used. Thanks for the assist. ☺ - viejito, Aug 5, 2012

So clear, so concise.. thanks. - yahvey_hoffman, Aug 5, 2012

So THAT's what that means! :O I once saw "mas" used that way and it's plagued me ever since. Thanks a million. - inkubzz, Aug 5, 2012

Answer 2

Hello, Cordobesa. Your answer was so good that I would like to translate it into English so that the newer, less advanced students will have the opportunity to understand its relevancy. ?

Hope you don’t mind….Viejito

Puedes utilizar cualquier frase en la que haya un "pero - mas" y sustituirlo por un "mas":

You can use any sentence in which there is (but) and substitute it with “but – mas”

"Fuimos a comprar, pero la tienda estaba cerrada" = "Fuimos a comprar, mas la tienda estaba cerrada"

“We went shopping (but-pero) the store was closed” = “We went shopping (but – mas) the store was closed.

No sé en otros países, pero en España es muy raro escuchar "mas" en el lenguaje oral. Su uso se reserva, en general, al lenguaje escrito formal.

I don’t know in other countries, but in Spain it is very strange to hear (mas – but) in oral language. Its use is reserved, in general, formal written language.

Otros ejemplos: Other examples:

"El jugador no iba a jugar en el partido debido a su lesión, mas finalmente se recuperó y pudo participar.

The player wasn’t going to play in the game due to jis injury, (but – mas) finally he got better and could participate.

"Dicen que es una ciudad como cualquier otra, mas en mi opinión es una de las más bellas del país".

They say that it is a city like any other, (but-mas) in my opinion it is one of the most beautiful in the country.

Claro que no me importa. ¡Muchas gracias por hacerlo! :)) - Cordobesa, Aug 5, 2012

Thaks , viejo! - annierats, Aug 5, 2012