e, o, mas

And, Or and but

Level 1

E joins two things, o gives a choice, and mas adds a contrast.

How It Works

Three small words join words and sentences. None of them ever changes.

WordMeaningExample
eandMaria e Joan son d'Albi. (Maria and Joan are from Albi.)
oorCafè o tè? (Coffee or tea?)
masbutSoi cansat, mas content. (I am tired, but happy.)

Occitan keeps e as it is before a vowel, so you never write et.

Mas is the word for but where Catalan writes però and French writes mais. It is also the word for my before a feminine plural noun: mas amigas. The rest of the sentence shows which one it is.

Examples (5)

  1. Ai un gat e un can.

    I have a cat and a dog.

    E joins two nouns.

  2. Maria e Joan son d'Albi.

    Maria and Joan are from Albi.

    E joins two names.

  3. Cafè o tè?

    Coffee or tea?

    O gives a choice.

  4. Manjam aicí o ailà?

    Do we eat here or over there?

    O joins two places.

  5. Soi cansat, mas content.

    I am tired, but happy.

    Mas adds a contrast.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the Catalan word for but

    Soi cansat, però content.
    Soi cansat, mas content.

    Però is Catalan. Occitan writes mas.

  • Using the French word for and

    Maria et Joan son d'Albi.
    Maria e Joan son d'Albi.

    Et is French. Occitan writes e.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

e, o, masLevel 1And, Or and but

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Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

eomas