A1 German GrammarPlural Nouns
Learn how to form German plurals. German has several plural patterns including -e, -en, -er, -s, and umlaut changes. Discover the most common patterns and irregular forms.
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1Plural with -e
Many German nouns form their plural by adding -e. This is common for masculine and neuter nouns. Some also add an umlaut (ä, ö, ü) to the stem vowel.
Plurals with -e
| Singular | Plural | English |
|---|---|---|
| der Tag | die Tage | day(s) |
| der Hund | die Hunde | dog(s) |
| das Jahr | die Jahre | year(s) |
| der Stuhl | die Stühle | chair(s) |
Examples
Die Tage sind lang.
The days are long.
Tag → Tage
Ich habe zwei Hunde.
I have two dogs.
Hund → Hunde
Die Stühle sind alt.
The chairs are old.
Stuhl → Stühle (with umlaut)
Er arbeitet seit drei Jahren.
He has been working for three years.
Jahr → Jahre
2Plural with -en / -n
The ending -en (or just -n if the word ends in -e) is very common for feminine nouns. This is one of the most frequent plural patterns in German.
Plurals with -en / -n
| Singular | Plural | English |
|---|---|---|
| die Frau | die Frauen | woman/women |
| die Blume | die Blumen | flower(s) |
| die Zeitung | die Zeitungen | newspaper(s) |
| die Lampe | die Lampen | lamp(s) |
Examples
Die Frauen arbeiten hier.
The women work here.
Frau → Frauen
Die Blumen sind schön.
The flowers are beautiful.
Blume → Blumen
Ich lese zwei Zeitungen.
I read two newspapers.
Zeitung → Zeitungen
Die Lampen sind aus.
The lamps are off.
Lampe → Lampen
3Plural with -er
The -er ending is used mainly for neuter nouns and some masculine nouns. Words taking -er often add an umlaut if the stem vowel allows it (a→ä, o→ö, u→ü).
Plurals with -er
| Singular | Plural | English |
|---|---|---|
| das Kind | die Kinder | child/children |
| das Buch | die Bücher | book(s) |
| das Haus | die Häuser | house(s) |
| der Mann | die Männer | man/men |
Examples
Die Kinder spielen.
The children are playing.
Kind → Kinder
Ich lese viele Bücher.
I read many books.
Buch → Bücher (with umlaut)
Die Häuser sind teuer.
The houses are expensive.
Haus → Häuser (with umlaut)
Die Männer kommen.
The men are coming.
Mann → Männer (with umlaut)
4Other Plural Forms
Some nouns add -s (often foreign words), and some remain unchanged (often -er and -el endings). Nouns ending in -chen and -lein never change in plural.
Special Plural Forms
| Type | Singular | Plural | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| -s plural | das Auto | die Autos | car(s) |
| No change | der Lehrer | die Lehrer | teacher(s) |
| No change | das Mädchen | die Mädchen | girl(s) |
| Umlaut only | der Vater | die Väter | father(s) |
Examples
Die Autos sind neu.
The cars are new.
Auto → Autos (foreign word)
Die Lehrer sind nett.
The teachers are nice.
Lehrer → Lehrer (no change)
Die Mädchen lachen.
The girls laugh.
Mädchen → Mädchen (diminutive)
Die Väter arbeiten.
The fathers work.
Vater → Väter (umlaut only)
Practice Exercises
3 exercises
What is the plural of 'das Buch' (book)?
What is the plural of 'die Frau' (woman)?
What is the plural of 'das Mädchen' (girl)?
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