When Spanish y becomes e

The sound at the start of the next word determines the conjunction.

The idea

Use e instead of y before an initial /i/ sound, including silent h: e historia. Keep y before the diphthong /ie/, as in y hielo.

Compramos pan e higos para la cena.We bought bread and figs for dinner.
El museo reúne arte e historia local.The museum brings together art and local history.
Hay agujas e hilo en la caja.There are needles and thread in the box.
La niña canta y baila en el jardín.The girl sings and dances in the garden.
Es una casa de madera y hierro.It is a house of wood and iron.
El taller necesita papel e instrumentos.The workshop needs paper and instruments.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Spanish voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Look at the sound, not just the first letter: silent h does not prevent the change.

Choose the conjunction in the sentence: Busco mapas ___ imágenes antiguas.
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e
e: the next word begins with an /i/ sound.
Choose the conjunction in the sentence: Trae agua ___ hielo para la fiesta.
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y
y: the next word starts with the /ie/ diphthong.
Choose the conjunction in the sentence: La clase lee ___ imagina el final.
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e
e: the next word begins with /i/, so the sounds do not merge.

Join two things before an /i/ sound, then write another pair before /ie/.