Senão vs. Se Não in Portuguese: Otherwise or “If Not”?
Use se não for a conditional “if not”; use senão for “otherwise” or a contrast such as “nothing but.”
Real Life Portuguese · 6 min read · Updated October 14, 2026
The short answer
Se não is the conjunction se (if) followed by the negative word não. It introduces a condition: if something does not happen, another result follows.
Write se não when the sentence has a condition
You can often expand the idea with “caso não” (if … does not) to check the meaning.
Se não chover, vamos caminhar.
If it doesn’t rain, we’ll go for a walk.
Se você não puder ir, me avisa.
If you can’t go, let me know.
Se não tiver lugar, a gente espera.
If there isn’t space, we’ll wait.
Write senão for “otherwise”
Senão can mean otherwise or if not in the sense of an alternative consequence. It may also introduce an exception or correction, depending on the sentence.
Try replacing it with caso contrário (otherwise). If the sentence still makes sense, senão is likely the form you want.
Vamos sair agora, senão chegaremos tarde.
Let’s leave now, otherwise we’ll arrive late.
Não quero nada senão descansar.
I want nothing but to rest.
Não foi na terça, senão na quarta.
It wasn’t on Tuesday, but rather on Wednesday.
Read the whole clause before choosing
A sentence can contain se não when it is a genuine condition and senão when it names an alternative. The sound may not help you distinguish them in fast speech, so check the grammar and meaning.
Portuguese negative words have several patterns. Our separate guide explains não, nunca, nada, and ninguém.
Se não encontrar a rua, me liga.
If you can’t find the street, call me.
Anota o endereço, senão você pode esquecer.
Write down the address, or you might forget.
Não pedi chá, senão café.
I didn’t ask for tea, but for coffee.
Put it into practice
Expand se não as “if … not.” Replace senão with “otherwise” or “but rather” and see which meaning fits.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “I didn’t ask for tea, but for coffee”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
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