Sondern

Sondern is a German coordinating conjunction used to introduce a correction or specification to a preceding negative statement. It is typically translated into English as "but rather" or "instead," and it contrasts with the first clause by presenting a more accurate or preferable alternative.

Usage and rules

Sondern appears after a negated element, forming the structure nicht ... , sondern ... or kein ... , sondern .... The second clause provides the actual assertion or choice. A comma generally separates the two clauses. Sondern is used when the correction is stronger or more specific than what was initially implied, and it does not simply add a contrast like andere or doch would.

Examples

Ich trinke nicht Kaffee, sondern Tee. (I don’t drink coffee, but rather tea.)

Nicht der Mann, sondern die Frau hat gewonnen. (Not the man, but the woman won.)

Wir gingen nicht ins Kino, sondern nach Hause. (We didn’t go to the cinema, but home.)

Relation to other conjunctions

Sondern is closely related to aber, but it serves a corrective function rather than a simple contrast. It is incompatible with a straightforward positive statement and is reserved for negations that require a precise counterpoint.

See also

nicht, kein, aber, Konjunktion, German grammar

Note: In normal capitalization, sondern is written lowercase within sentences; it is capitalized only at the start of a sentence or as a title.