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"Mas" is a form of "mas", a conjunction which is often translated as "but". "Más bien" is a phrase which is often translated as "rather". Learn more about the difference between "mas" and "más bien" below.
mas(
mahs
)A conjunction is a word that connects words, phrases, clauses, or sentences (e.g., The cat and the dog slept.).
1. (literary) (contrasting)
A word or phrase restricted in usage to literature or established writing (e.g., sex, once upon a time).
a. but
Soy un caballero valiente, mas no soy agresivo.I am a valiant knight, but I am not aggressive.
más bien(
mahs
byehn
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
b. more like
No es un avión. Más bien es una nave espacial.It's not an airplane. It's more like a spacecraft.
c. actually
No me decepcionó la obra. Más bien me gustó, y mucho.I wasn't disappointed by the play. Actually, I quite liked it.
d. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
No soy médico, más bien terapeuta.I'm not so much a doctor as a therapist.
No estoy enojado, más bien aburrido.I'm not so much angry as bored.
2. (colloquial) (used to emphasize)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
a. so well
Tienen que oír a su hermanita pequeña. ¡Canta más bien!You should listen to his little sister. She sings so well!
