ó
“ó” means “or” in Spanish (Used to show a choice between two numbers (now obsolete spelling)).
or
📝 In Action
Necesitas 9 ó 10 días para terminar el proyecto.
A2You need 9 or 10 days to finish the project. (Note: Modern spelling is '9 o 10'.)
Voy a comprar 1 ó 2 libros.
A1I am going to buy 1 or 2 books. (Note: Modern spelling is '1 o 2'.)
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: ó
Question 1 of 1
In modern Spanish, why is the accent mark on 'ó' considered incorrect?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
The conjunction 'o' comes from the Latin word 'aut' (meaning 'or'). The accent was a late addition in Spanish orthography, introduced purely for visual clarity between numbers, but it has since been removed from standard use.
First recorded: The base word 'o' dates back to early Romance languages; the accented form 'ó' became common practice in Spanish printing and handwriting during the 18th to 20th centuries.
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
If I see 'ó' in an old book, what does it mean?
It means 'or'. You will usually find it placed between two numbers, like 'Páginas 2 ó 3'. It is just an older way of spelling the conjunction 'o'.
Is there any time I still need to use the accent on 'o'?
No. According to the current rules of the Spanish language, the conjunction 'o' never carries a written accent mark.