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"Than" is a conjunction which is often translated as "que", and "instead of" is a phrase which is often translated as "en vez de". Learn more about the difference between "than" and "instead of" below.
than(
thahn
)A conjunction is a word that connects words, phrases, clauses, or sentences (e.g., The cat and the dog slept.).
a. de
They offered me more money than I had asked for.Me ofrecieron más dinero de lo que había pedido.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
I can't believe you would rather stay home alone than come to the party with me.No puedo creer que prefieres quedarte en casa sola antes que venir a la fiesta conmigo.
I'd rather do all the work now than be stressed out later.Prefiero hacer todo el trabajo ahora a estar estresado después.
A preposition is a word that indicates the relationship between a noun and another word (e.g., He ran through the door.).
instead of(
ihn
-
stehd
uhv
)A phrase is a group of words commonly used together (e.g., once upon a time).
1. (in lieu of)
a. en vez de
Instead of having to cook dinner, let's eat out.En vez de tener que preparar la cena, vamos a cenar fuera.
b. en lugar de
Why don't we go to the mountains instead of to the beach this summer?¿Por qué no vamos a la montaña en lugar de a la playa este verano?
