Plural Nouns in German Grammar

Plural Nouns in German Grammar
Plural Nouns in German Grammar

A plural noun expresses that there is more than one person, object, idea etc. To form plural nouns in German, we can add –n/-en, -e, -r/-er, or -s to the end of the noun. The rules for plural noun formation in German grammar are listed below.

Learn everything you need to know about the formation of plural nouns in learning German online and test your knowledge.

Example

die Geldscheine

die Münzen

das Geld (no plural)

Plural Noun Endings in German Grammar

German plurals are formed by adding –n/-en, -e, -r/-er, –s. Some nouns are the same in their singular and plural forms e.g. die Löffel whilst others are mostly used in the singular e.g. die Milch or plural form e.g. die Eltern. The ending of a nouns give us a clue as to which plural ending to use.

Below is a summary of word endings and their typical plural endings. Be aware that there are many exceptions to these rules.

Add -n/-en

Here is a list of German noun endings that form the plural with -n or -en:

  • masculine nouns with the endings -e, -ent, and, -ant, -ist, -or
    Example:
    der Student – die Studenten
  • feminine nouns with the endings –e, -in, -ion, -ik, -heit, -keit, -schaft, -tät, -ung
    Example:
    die Nation – die Nationen

    in the case of feminine nouns that end in -in, the n is doubled

    die Lehrerin – die Lehrerinnen
  • the endings -ma, -um, -us in foreign words are usually replaced by –en
    Example:
    das Thema – die Themen

Add -e

Here is a list of German noun endings that form the plural with -e:

  • masculine nouns with the endings –eur, -ich, -ier, -ig, -ling, -ör
    Example:
    der Friseur – die Friseure
  • many single-syllable feminine nouns
    Example:
    die Hand – die Hände

    an umlaut is added to the plural form

Add -r/-er

Here is a list of German noun endings that form the plural with –r or -er:

  • many single-syllable neuter nouns
    Example:
    das Wort – die Wörter

    an umlaut is often added to the plural form

  • To note: feminine nouns never form the plural with –r/-er.

Add -s

Here is a list of German nouns endings that form the plural with -s:

  • masculine, feminine, and neuter nouns with the endings –a, -i, -o, -u, -y
    Example:
    der Opa – die Opas
    das Auto – die Autos
    die Mutti – die Muttis
    das Hobby – die Hobbys
  • family names
    Example:
    die Lehmanns 

No Plural Ending

Here is a list of German noun endings that don’t change in the plural form:

  • masculine nouns with the endings –el, -en, -er
    Example:
    der Löffel – die Löffel
  • neuter nouns with the endings –chen, –lein
    Example:
    das Mädchen – die Mädchen

Singular or Plural

  • Most nouns can be used in the singular and the plural.
    Example:
    der Geldschein – die Geldscheine
    die Münze – die Münzen
  • Some nouns tend to be used only in the singular.
    Example:
    das Geld, der Hunger, die Milch

    There is a plural form, “die Gelder”, but this has a different meaning.

  • Some nouns are used only in the plural.
    Example:
    die Eltern, die Leute, die Ferien
    At last you can use plural nouns in German correctly. You can get German Keyboard for accurate translation.
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