A1 Spanish GrammarPlural Nouns
Form Spanish plurals by adding -s to words ending in vowels and -es to words ending in consonants. Learn the rules, spelling changes, and how articles change to match plural nouns.
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1Basic Plural Rules
To form plurals in Spanish: add -s to words ending in a vowel (libro → libros), add -es to words ending in a consonant (ciudad → ciudades). The article also changes: el → los, la → las.
Basic Plural Formation
| Ending | Rule | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|---|
| vowel | add -s | libro | libros |
| vowel | add -s | casa | casas |
| consonant | add -es | ciudad | ciudades |
| consonant | add -es | papel | papeles |
Examples
Los libros están en la mesa.
The books are on the table.
libro → libros (-s)
Las casas son grandes.
The houses are big.
casa → casas (-s)
Las ciudades son bonitas.
The cities are beautiful.
ciudad → ciudades (-es)
Necesito los papeles.
I need the papers.
papel → papeles (-es)
2Words Ending in -z
Words ending in -z change the z to c before adding -es. This spelling rule maintains the same sound. Examples: lápiz → lápices, luz → luces, vez → veces.
-z to -ces
| Singular | Plural | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| lápiz | lápices | pencil(s) |
| luz | luces | light(s) |
| vez | veces | time(s) |
| voz | voces | voice(s) |
| pez | peces | fish |
| nariz | narices | nose(s) |
Examples
Necesito dos lápices.
I need two pencils.
lápiz → lápices (z → c)
Las luces están encendidas.
The lights are on.
luz → luces (z → c)
A veces llueve mucho.
Sometimes it rains a lot.
vez → veces
Los peces nadan en el agua.
The fish swim in the water.
pez → peces (z → c)
3Words Ending in Stressed Vowel
Words ending in a stressed vowel (á, Ă©, Ă, Ăł, Ăş) usually add -es for the plural: rubà → rubĂes, menĂş → menĂşs or menĂşes. Words ending in unstressed vowel add just -s as normal.
Stressed Vowel Endings
| Singular | Plural | Note |
|---|---|---|
| café | cafés | common -s plural |
| sofá | sofás | common -s plural |
| rubĂ | rubĂes | -es plural |
| menĂş | menĂşs | common -s plural |
| tabĂş | tabĂşes / tabĂşs | both acceptable |
Examples
Tomo dos cafĂ©s al dĂa.
I drink two coffees a day.
café → cafés (-s)
Los sofás son cómodos.
The sofas are comfortable.
sofá → sofás (-s)
ComprĂł unos rubĂes.
He bought some rubies.
rubà → rubĂes (-es)
Estos menĂşs son nuevos.
These menus are new.
menú → menús
4Invariable and Special Plurals
Some nouns don't change in the plural: words ending in unstressed -is or -es (crisis, lunes). Days of the week (except sábado, domingo) are the same singular and plural.
Invariable Nouns
| Singular | Plural | Category |
|---|---|---|
| el lunes | los lunes | day of week |
| el martes | los martes | day of week |
| la crisis | las crisis | ends in -is |
| el análisis | los análisis | ends in -is |
| el paraguas | los paraguas | compound noun |
| el cumpleaños | los cumpleaños | compound noun |
Examples
Trabajo los lunes.
I work on Mondays.
lunes is invariable
Hay varias crisis econĂłmicas.
There are several economic crises.
crisis is invariable
Llevé dos paraguas.
I brought two umbrellas.
paraguas is invariable
Los sábados descanso.
On Saturdays I rest.
sábado → sábados (changes)
Practice Exercises
3 exercises
What is the plural of 'libro' (book)?
What is the plural of 'ciudad' (city)?
What is the plural of 'lápiz' (pencil)?
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