s / ss

S and Ss

Level 1

One s between vowels sounds like z. Two s sound like s.

How It Works

The letter s has two sounds, and its place in the word decides which one you hear.

SpellingSounds likeExamples
s between vowelszròsa (rose), cosina (kitchen)
ssspassa (he or she passes), finissi (I finish)
s at the start, before a consonant such as t, or at the endssèt (seven), ostal (house)

Between vowels, Occitan usually spells the z sound with a single s.

This is why the verbs in -ir with -iss- are spelled with two s: finissi, finisses. The ss keeps the s sound. A single s would sound like z.

Compare Spanish, where a single s between vowels keeps its s sound. In Occitan it sounds like z.

Examples (5)

  1. ròsa

    rose

    One s between vowels sounds like z.

  2. cosina

    kitchen

    One s between vowels sounds like z.

  3. passa

    he or she passes

    Ss sounds like s.

  4. finissi

    I finish

    Ss keeps the s sound in the verb ending.

  5. sèt

    seven

    S at the start of a word sounds like s.

Common Mistakes

  • Writing a single s for the s sound between vowels.

    pasa
    passa

    A single s between vowels sounds like z, so the s sound needs ss.

How It Connects

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

s / ssLevel 1S and Ss

Learn This First

S and ss depend on the letter s, so the alphabet comes first.