When to Change 'Y' to 'E' and 'O' to 'U' in Spanish .
Changes that stop conjunctions from blending with the word that follows.
Two of the most common conjunctions in Spanish — y (meaning "and") and O (meaning "or") — can change spelling and pronunciation based on the word that follows. In that way, they are much like the "a" of English changing to "an" before a vowel sound.
Two of the most common conjunctions in Spanish — y (meaning "and") and O (meaning "or") — can change spelling and pronunciation based on the word that follows. In that way, they are much like the "a" of English changing to "an" before a vowel sound.
Why change vowels ?
Both changes help keep the conjunction from blending into the following word. Y becomes e when it precedes a word that begins with the i sound, while o becomes u when it precedes a word that begins with the o sound.
Typically, then, the y becomes e when it precedes most words that begin with i- or hi-, and o becomes u preceding words starting with o- or ho-.
When not to change vowels.
Y does not change before words, such as hierba, that begin with the ia, ie, io or iu sound, regardless of spelling.
Examples of Different Spanish Conjunction Forms.
Here are a few examples of how to use what we have just learned .
Reciben tratamiento cruel e inhumano. (They are receiving cruel and inhumanetreatment.)
Vendemos productos de limpieza e higiene. (We sell cleaning and hygiene products.)
Está enteramente construido de nieve y hielo
(It is built completely of snow and ice.)
- Usamos punto y coma para separar las frases u oraciones que constituyen
una enumeración. (We use a semicolon to separate phrases or sentences that
make up a list
- No recuerdo si fue ayer u hoy. (I don't remember if it was yesterday or today.
Está enteramente construido de nieve y hielo. (It is built completely of snow and ice.)
3 Answers
Quisiera mostrarte mis ejemplos
Me gustan estudiar ciencias políticas e historia y hablar las lenguas romances, como español e italiano
Quizás este partido tenga setenta y nueve u ochenta miembros y su sede sea Hilo u Honolulu
En los ejemplos dados, ¿por qué?: "....limpieza e higiene...." "".... de nieve y hielo..."
¿Por qué las dos conjunciones no son "e"? Así lo aprendí. Debe cambiarse la 'y" a "e" si la palabra siguiente tiene sonido de "i" (escrita o hablada).
Además, Eso de "When not to change vowels", es contrario de los ejemplos.
"Los criollos son los nacidos en las Américas, mezcla de europeo e indígena."
"El compuesto de mercurio e yodo se usaba con frecuencia en las herídas."
Los estados de Wisconsin e Iowa tienen frontera común."
"Todo fue cosa de humo y espejos."
Etc.
"u" Honolulo es correcto, como dices, a mi parecer. Es por las mismas razones de la "y" y la "e".
