Palabra Lexi · words by topic · Spanish
Spanish Words: Transition Words — with Pronunciation and Memory Hooks
Level C1 · advanced · 16 words
However, therefore, besides, in the end: the words that turn separate sentences into connected speech and writing.
Spanish is read almost exactly as it's written: stress falls on the second-to-last syllable when a word ends in a vowel, n or s, otherwise on the last one, and exceptions carry an accent mark (café, estación). Nouns are masculine (el) or feminine (la). Pronunciation below is spelled out in English, stressed syllable in capitals.
Transition Words in Spanish: word list
| Spanish | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| en cuanto a | en KWAN-toh ah | as for |
| a raíz de | ah rrah-EETH deh | as a result of |
| en función de | en foon-THYOHN deh | depending on |
| con respecto a | kon rres-PEK-toh ah | with regard to |
| a pesar de | ah peh-SAR deh | despite |
| puesto que | PWES-toh keh | since |
| sin embargo | seen em-BAR-goh | however |
| por lo tanto | por loh TAN-toh | therefore |
| en cambio | en KAM-byoh | on the other hand |
| es decir | es deh-THEER | that is |
| a su vez | ah soo BETH | in turn |
| por ende | por EN-deh | hence |
| en síntesis | en SEEN-teh-sees | in summary |
| dado que | DAH-doh keh | given that |
| conforme a | kon-FOR-meh ah | in accordance with |
| de ahí que | deh ah-EE keh | hence |
Memory hooks for these words
A sound-alike is an English word or phrase that sounds like the foreign one. The scene ties it to the meaning: you recall the sound, the sound brings back the picture, the picture brings back the meaning. Read each scene once, then try to recall the meaning a minute later without looking at the list.
en cuanto a [en KWAN-toh ah] — as for
Sounds like: “in quanta”. In quanta of physics; as for the rest — ask Einstein.
En cuanto a mí… — As for me…
a raíz de [ah rrah-EETH deh] — as a result of
Sounds like: “a rise, they”. A rise in prices — as a result of the drought.
A raíz de la crisis… — As a result of the crisis…
en función de [en foon-THYOHN deh] — depending on
Sounds like: “in function”. In function, the oven's mode changes — depending on the dish.
En función del tiempo… — Depending on the weather…
con respecto a [kon rres-PEK-toh ah] — with regard to
Sounds like: “con, respect, ah”. The con man says 'respect' — with regard to your money.
Con respecto a tu pregunta… — With regard to your question…
a pesar de [ah peh-SAR deh] — despite
Sounds like: “a pizza, they”. A pizza, they say, despite the diet.
A pesar de la lluvia, salimos — Despite the rain, we went out
puesto que [PWES-toh keh] — since
Sounds like: “pesto, Kay”. Since the pesto is ready, Kay serves dinner.
Puesto que llueve, me quedo — Since it's raining, I'm staying
sin embargo [seen em-BAR-goh] — however
Sounds like: “sin, embargo”. Sin? Embargo! However, the ship still sails.
Sin embargo, no vino — However, he didn't come
por lo tanto [por loh TAN-toh] — therefore
Sounds like: “poor Lo, tango”. Poor Lo tangoes alone — therefore she practises more.
Por lo tanto, nos vamos — Therefore, we're leaving
en cambio [en KAM-byoh] — on the other hand
Sounds like: “in Cambodia”. In Cambodia it rains; in Spain, on the other hand, the sun shines.
Yo trabajo; él, en cambio, descansa — I work; he, on the other hand, rests
es decir [es deh-THEER] — that is
Sounds like: “yes, decider”. Yes, the decider says: that is, we go.
Mañana, es decir, el lunes — Tomorrow, that is, Monday
a su vez [ah soo BETH] — in turn
Sounds like: “a Sue's vase”. Sue passes the vase; Ann, in turn, passes it on.
Él, a su vez, respondió — He, in turn, replied
por ende [por EN-deh] — hence
Sounds like: “poor end, eh”. Poor end, eh — hence the sequel.
Por ende, cerramos — Hence, we close
en síntesis [en SEEN-teh-sees] — in summary
Sounds like: “in synthesis”. In synthesis, all the sounds merge into one tune — in summary, one melody.
En síntesis, fue un éxito — In summary, it was a success
dado que [DAH-doh keh] — given that
Sounds like: “Dad-o, okay”. Dad-o says okay, given that you did your homework.
Dado que es tarde… — Given that it's late…
conforme a [kon-FOR-meh ah] — in accordance with
Sounds like: “conform, ah”. Conform, ah — in accordance with the rules.
Conforme a la ley — In accordance with the law
de ahí que [deh ah-EE keh] — hence
Sounds like: “the eye, Kay”. The eye sees the storm; hence Kay stays home.
De ahí que no viniera — Hence he didn't come