Noun plurals · Kinder, Bücher, Frauen
German has several plural endings (-e, -er, -n, -s or none, often with an umlaut). Learn each noun with its plural; the article is die for every gender.
Examples
- Die Kinder spielen im Garten.The children are playing in the garden.
- Ich spiele mit den Kindern.I'm playing with the children.
How it works
English adds -s. German has five ways to make a plural, and a vowel may also get an umlaut (a → ä, o → ö, u → ü). Learn each noun with its plural, as the dictionary shows it: das Buch, -¨er = die Bücher.
-E (often with umlaut) — many masculine nouns
-ER (umlaut where possible) — many short neuter nouns, and a few masculine ones
-N / -EN — most feminine nouns
NO ENDING (sometimes umlaut) — masculine and neuter nouns in -er, -el, -en
-S — many foreign words, and many nouns ending in -a, -i, -o, -u
The article
die in the plural, whatever the gender (see Articles); den after mit, von, zu.
AFTER MIT, VON, ZU — the plural adds -n
After mit, von, zu, and in for where something is (the dative: the form after these words), the plural article is den and the noun adds -n, unless it already ends in -n or -s:
Common mistakes
dative plural -n
What you'll practise
1. -e and -er (+ umlaut)
Many masculine nouns add -e (Tage, Stühle); many short neuter nouns add -er with an umlaut where possible (Kinder, Bücher).
- Die Bücher liegen auf dem Tisch.The books are on the table.
2. -(e)n, -s, or no ending
Most feminine nouns add -(e)n (Frauen); foreign words add -s (Fotos); nouns in -er / -el / -en add nothing, sometimes an umlaut (Lehrer, Äpfel).
- Die Frauen arbeiten.The women are working.
3. Dative plural: -n
After mit, von, zu, and in for where something is (the dative: the form after these words), the plural adds -n: mit den Kindern. Not after -n or -s: mit den Autos.
- Wir gehen mit unseren Freunden ins Kino.We're going to the cinema with our friends.
Practise it until it sticks
Short drills built on these 3 skills, with instant feedback on every answer. Free to start.