about rules for easier pronunciation

Question

Kiwi-Girl said:

"Re the treinta y un años that is how you say it, treinta y uno when it isn't followed by años - not sure why it changes, maybe it's a bit like our a and an."

Several days ago Kiwi-Girl left a comment in a question I asked before about “how old”. I know the reason why y is changed to e and why o is changed to u. But how about the above question? Why is letter o omitted when uno is followed by the word años?

Also, why is buen used instead of bueno before masculine singular nouns? If it is followed by words beginning with o or ho like hombre, I can understand; otherwise, I don't see any reason to do so. (e.g. buen tiempo; un buen día)

One more question, are there any other special rules which are set for the purpose for easier pronunciation?

Answer 1

Sorry, bad explanation.

Second attempt:

They are both adjectives, but spelling changes depending on position in refrence to the corresponding noun, ie: George Harrison fue un hombre muy bueno / George Harrison fue muy buen hombre.

Ella tiene treita y un años de edad / Ella odia el numero treita y uno.

I know the reason why y is changed to e and why o is changed to u. But how about the above question? Why is letter o omitted when uno is followed by the word años?

The Y to E and O to U follow a grammar rule for ease of pronunciation. I believe the change of spelling with año/bueno has to do with word position only, but I can´t say if this is a grammar rule or not.

The main thing is you know how it works. My Russian teacher once told me after she could not explain a certain conjugation, of which Russian is a nightmare, "Just say it correctly and that´s all."

I still have a doubt about what you said, "I believe the change of spelling with año/bueno has to do with word position only", but "the main thing is you know how it works" is a piece of good advice. Thanks! - joygogo, Nov 13, 2013

Answer 2

"uno" and "bueno" can be used as adjectives (for example "es muy bueno"). The thing is that before masculine singular nouns the "-o" at the end disappears.

Eamples:

Buen tulipán = good tulip Buenos tulipanes = good flowers Buena silla = good seat Buenas sillas = good seats

Thank you for replying, but you missed my point. - joygogo, Nov 13, 2013