When the Spanish conjunction o becomes u

There are two specific cases when the conjunction o (meaning or) becomes u.

When the word that follows o starts with the vowel o

Voy a estar en Salamanca siete u ocho días.I am going to be in Salamanca for seven or eight days.

Mi bebé se llamará Cristina u Olga. No estoy segura.My baby will be called Cristina or Olga. I am not sure.

 

When the word that follows o starts with ho-

Remember that the letter h is not pronounced in Spanish.

¿Quieres gomillas u horquillas para tu pelo?Do you want scrunchies or clips for your hair?

Este club es para mujeres u hombres.This club is for women or men.

In front of any other letter, the conjunction o doesn't change; for example:

¿Quieres helado de chocolate o fresa?Do you want chocolate or strawberry ice cream?

¿Truco o trato?Trick or treat?

¿Cómo se llama esa chica, Elena o Ana?What's that girl's name, Elena or Ana?

To learn about changes to the conjunction y see:

When the Spanish conjunction y becomes e

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Examples and resources

Mi bebé se llamará Cristina u Olga. No estoy segura.My baby will be called Cristina or Olga. I am not sure.
¿Quieres gomillas u horquillas para tu pelo?Do you want scrunchies or clips for your hair?
Este club es para mujeres u hombres.This club is for women or men.
¿Truco o trato?Trick or treat?
¿Cómo se llama esa chica, Elena o Ana?What's that girl's name, Elena or Ana?
Voy a estar en Salamanca siete u ocho días.I am going to be in Salamanca for seven or eight days.
¿Quieres helado de chocolate o fresa?Do you want chocolate or strawberry ice cream?
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