más
/ˈmas/
The Spanish phrase mas can be translated as 'but'.
The word mas is a formal synonym for pero (but).
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between más and mas. The word más with an accent means 'more', whereas mas without an accent is a conjunction meaning 'but'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form mas (without an accent) is used in literary or highly formal contexts and is much less common in daily speech than pero.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈmas/
Did you know?
- The word más is a distant relative of the English word 'master'. Both originate from the Latin magister, which comes from magis, meaning 'more'.
- Because mas is so formal, using it in a casual text message might come across as unintentional irony or a joke to a native speaker.
- Despite the different meanings, mas and más are pronounced exactly the same in almost every Spanish dialect.
Examples in context
- Quisiera más tiempoI would like more time
- Necesito más informaciónI need more information
- El informe suplementario contiene más detallesThe supplementary report contains more details
- Quiero un poco más de café, por favor.I want a little more coffee, please.
- ¿Necesitas algo más de la tienda?Do you need anything more from the store?
- No puedo esperar más tiempo.I cannot wait any more time.
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are finishing a meal at home.
- Lucía¿Quieres más sopa, Mateo?Do you want more soup, Mateo?
- MateoNo, gracias, ya he comido mucho.No, thanks, I have already eaten a lot.
- LucíaEstá bien, ¿quieres un poco más de agua?That's fine, do you want a little more water?
- MateoSí, por favor, Lucía.Yes, please, Lucía.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry más, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries más, CC BY-SA 4.0.
