Conjunctions are words that tie parts of sentences together with words like y (and) or o (or). Similar to the way that in English the word a changes to an before a word that begins with a vowel, the Spanish conjunctions y and o have two forms. Let’s learn more about these two Spanish conjunctions in this article.

Spanish Conjunctions

In this article, we are going to focus on the Spanish conjunctions y (and) and o (or). They are coordinating conjunctions that are used to join words, clauses or sentences of equal importance. You will learn their meaning and usage.

Y (and)

Y (and) is used in all cases for and except when a word starts with the Spanish i sound.

Las abogadas y el juez descansan en el pasillo.

The lawyers and the judge rest in the corridor.

Compro huevos y pasta en el supermercado.

I buy eggs and pasta in the supermarket.

Inés y Jaime no son hermanos.

Inés and Jaime aren’t siblings.

Estudio en la universidad y también trabajo por la tarde.

I study at university and work in the afternoons as well.

When y is used before a word that starts with the Spanish i sound, it changes to e. It does not mind if the following word is a noun, adjective or verb. If it starts with an i sound, then y changes to e.

Este fenómeno es extraño e inusual.

This phenomenon is strange and unusual.

Mis países preferidos son China e Italia.

My favorite countries are China and Italy.

Antonio e Ignacio son tan altos como tú.

Antonio and Ignacio are as tall as you.

Primero necesito analizar e investigar más estos descubrimientos.

First, I need to analyze and research more these discoveries.

However, this rule does not apply to words that start with hie– such as hielo or hierro. Such vowel combinations within the same syllable are called diphthongs.

Voy a sembrar plantas y hierbas aromáticas.

I am going to grow plants and herbs.

Hay agua y hielo encima de la mesa.

There’s water and ice on the table.

Quiero una coca cola con limón y hielo, por favor.

I want a coke with lemon and ice, please.

El suelo de la terraza está hecho de madera y hierro.

The terrace floor is made of wood and iron.

O (or)

O is used in the same fashion to mean or.

¿Qué tal si cocinamos arroz o pasta para la cena de mañana?

How about cooking some rice or pasta for tomorrow’s dinner?

Laura o Anabel van a tu fiesta de cumpleaños.

Laura or Anabel are coming to your birthday party.

¿Sara está en la sala o en la cocina? Necesito hablar con ella.

Is Sara in the living room or in the kitchen? I need to talk to her.

¿Qué haces esta tarde? ¿Estudias o juegas al fútbol?

What are you doing this afternoon? Are you studying or playing soccer?

When o would be used before a word beginning with o– or ho-, it changes to u.

En el taller de Juan hacen pendientes de plata u oro.

In Juan’s workshop they make silver or golden earrings.

¿Hay centros de salud u hospitales en la ciudad?

Are there any health centers or hospitals in the city?

¿Estás hablando con Adrián u Oliver?

Are you talking to Adrián or Oliver?

Creo que el tren llega a las siete u ocho de la tarde.

I think the train arrives at seven or eight in the evening.

Exercises

Now let’s do some exercises to practice these two Spanish conjunctions.

Exercise 1

Exercise 2

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Linkers and Connectors