Nouns: Plural — German Grammar

German nouns have different ways of forming the plural. Unlike English, which usually adds an "s", German uses five different endings: -(e)n, -e, -er, -s, or no ending at all. Additionally, the vowel in the stem of the word often changes to an Umlaut (a becomes ä, o becomes ö, u becomes ü).

Regardless of the noun's original gender (masculine, feminine, or neuter), the definite article for all plural nouns in the nominative case is always .

Ending in -(e)n

This is the most common plural form. It is used for the vast majority of feminine nouns, especially those ending in -e, -ung, -heit, -keit, or -schaft. It is also used for some masculine nouns (often those describing people or animals).

If the word ends in a consonant, add -en.
If the word ends in -e, just add -n.

Ich habe zwei Katzen.
I have two cats.
Die Studenten lernen Deutsch.
The students are learning German.
Wir besuchen unsere Tanten.
We are visiting our aunts.

Ending in -e

This ending is very common for masculine and neuter nouns. If the noun has a stem vowel of a, o, or u, it frequently receives an Umlaut.

Meine Freunde kommen heute.
My friends are coming today.
Er hat zwei Hunde.
He has two dogs.
Die Stühle sind alt.
The chairs are old.

Ending in -er

This ending is typically found with neuter nouns and a few masculine nouns. This form almost always triggers an Umlaut change if the vowel allows it. It often sounds stronger or more distinct than the other endings.

Die Kinder spielen draußen.
The children are playing outside.
Die Wälder sind grün.
The forests are green.
Er kauft neue Bücher.
He is buying new books.

Ending in -s

The -s ending is the easiest for English speakers because it functions similarly to English. It is generally used for words of foreign origin (loanwords), abbreviations, and nouns ending in vowels other than -e (like -a, -i, -o).

Wo sind die Autos?
Where are the cars?
Sie mag ihre Hobbys.
She likes her hobbies.
Wir essen zwei Pizzas.
We are eating two pizzas.

No Ending Change

Masculine and neuter nouns that end in -el, -er, or -en in their singular form usually do not add a suffix in the plural. However, the main vowel may still change to an Umlaut. You must look at the article () or the verb conjugation to tell if the word is singular or plural.

Die Lehrer sind nett.
The teachers are nice.
Ich esse zwei Äpfel.
I am eating two apples.
Die Fenster sind offen.
The windows are open.

In the course

Sentences from Lingora’s German course

92 of the course's 500 sentences use this, the first in lesson 18. A few of them, with the words “Nouns: Plural” is about in bold:

Ich habe zwei Autos, zwei Fahrräder und drei Motorräder.
I have two cars, two bicycles, and three motorbikes.
Lesson 33
Ich kaufe eine Banane und sechs Eier.
I am buying one banana and six eggs.
Lesson 43
Ich habe ein Dutzend Eier und einen Schokoriegel für dich gekauft.
I bought a dozen eggs and a candy bar for you too.
Lesson 47

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