When traveling to Latin America, it's essential to understand the nuances of Spanish expressions. While 'and' (y) is often used as a conjunction in English, 'pero' has a distinct meaning that can change the tone of your sentence. 'Pero' is a coordinating conjunction that indicates a contrast or a surprise, whereas 'y' is used for simple conjunctions like 'and', 'but', and 'or'. For example, in Spanish, you might say 'Me gusta leer libros y escribir cuentos' (I enjoy reading books and writing stories) using the word 'y', but if you want to convey a sense of surprise or contrast, you'd use 'pero': 'Me gusta leer libros, pero no tengo tiempo para escribir' (I enjoy reading books, but I don't have time to write). This subtle distinction can help you communicate more effectively with native speakers and show respect for their culture.