Quick answer
Senão is a single connector or noun. Se não opens a negative condition.
A reliable test is to identify the job of the word before translating from English.
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What each word does
senão
otherwise, except, or defect
Use senão for a consequence, exception, correction, or a noun meaning drawback.
se não
if not
Use se não for a conditional se followed by the negative não.
How to choose
- senão: Choose senão if the sentence points to a consequence, exception, correction, or a noun meaning drawback.
- se não: Choose se não if the sentence points to a conditional se followed by the negative não.
Examples
Apresse-se, senão perderá o trem.
Hurry, otherwise you will miss the train.
Se não chover, faremos o evento ao ar livre.
If it does not rain, we will hold the event outdoors.
Common trap
Try replacing the expression: caso não points to se não; do contrário or a não ser points to senão.
Practice it in context
Pick one sentence from your real life and write it twice: once with senão, then once with se não. If both versions feel possible, name the meaning shift.
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