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Icon for mas — but
mas
but
A literary form of pero, meaning "but"
Encoding Strategies:
repetition
Mas means but and is a literary, archaic form of "pero," which is used to contrast two ideas. It is related to the accented más ("more"), which is also used to compare two things. When you take away the stress, the word gets lighter and leaves just the comparison behind.
mas
but (literary)
A literary synonym of pero, used in poetry and formal prose to contrast two ideas.
Quiso hablar, mas las palabras no llegaron = He wanted to speak, but the words never came
Era valiente, mas no imprudente = She was brave, but not reckless