y
and
Beginner Conjunction
🔊
Pronunciation
/i/
💡
Cultural Note
'Y' changes to 'e' before words beginning with 'i-' or 'hi-' to avoid the repetition of the /i/ sound: 'español e inglés' (Spanish and English), 'padre e hijo' (father and son). However, it stays as 'y' before words beginning with 'hie-': 'nieve y hielo' (snow and ice). This phonetic rule makes Spanish flow more naturally.
📝 Example Sentences
Pan y mantequilla.
Bread and butter.
Estudio español y francés.
I study Spanish and French.