"Ei sunt puternici iar noi suntem slabi."

Translation: They are strong, and we are weak.

[ziyayerlik]

What's the difference between iar and și? / Can și be used here?

[Adoritaliana]

In this situation IAR is an adversative conjunction, it underlines the difference between strong and weak. There are situations were it is used as a copulative conjunction, like the conjunction și, but here it is not.

[PaulMinden]

If that's the case, isn't it also possible that 'but' is a fine translation?

[Adoritaliana]

It is fine with adversative conjunction "but".

[PaulMinden]

Multumesc! It seems like IAR may be like "while on the other hand..." in that it's a conjunction that illustrates a disparity of some sort...

[Adoritaliana]

Yes, "while on the other hand" is very good.

[PaulMinden]

thank you!