It is a semi-vowel or semi-consonant , meaning it can sometimes act like a vowel and sometimes like a consonant depending on the context.
その理由は次のとおりです。
* Consonant-like behavior: When "Y" is at the beginning of a word or syllable, it often acts as a consonant. For example, in "yacht" (yacht), "yellow" (jaune), and "yes" (oui), "Y" makes a consonant sound similar to "j" or "y" in English.
* Vowel-like behavior: In some cases, "Y" can be used as a vowel, usually in conjunction with other vowels to form diphthongs. For example, in "pays" (country), "pays" (pays), and "voyage" (journey), the "Y" sounds like a vowel.
So, while "Y" can sometimes act as a vowel in specific situations, it's primarily considered a semi-vowel in French.