Key points about making nouns plural in French
When there is more than one of something, it is pluralMore than one of an item..
To make a nounThe name of a thing such as an object, a place or a person. Nouns are often described as naming words. plural in French, you usually add s.
Add x to masculineAll nouns in French are either masculine or feminine. nouns ending in -eau or -eu.
Nouns that already end in -x or -s don’t change when they become plural.
What are plural nouns?
If there is more than one of something, it is plural. In English and French, the most common way to make a noun plural is to add s to the end of the noun.
Masculine nouns in French that end in -eau and -eu can be made plural by adding x.
Remember
The -s and -x on the ends of plural words are usually silent.
You only pronounce them when the next word starts with a vowel.
How to make nouns plural by adding 's'
If there is more than one of a noun, you can make it plural by adding s.
For example:
Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. (a father) → Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. (two fathers)
Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. (a sister) → Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. (sisters)
Making nouns plural - Mini quiz
What is the plural of une maison (a house)?
Des maisons (houses)
How to make nouns plural by adding 'x'
If a masculine noun ends in -eau or -eu, add an x to make it plural.
For example:
Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. (a castle) → Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. (two castles)
Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. (a game) → Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. (games)
Did you know?
Most nouns ending in -al change to -aux when they become plural.
For example:
un journal, deux journaux – a newspaper, two newspapers
How to make plurals of nouns ending in '-s' or '-x'
Nouns that end in -s or -x don’t change when they are plural:
Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. (a country) → Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. (two countries)
Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. (a choice) → Sorry, something went wrongCheck your connection, refresh the page and try again. (choices)
Making nouns plural - Mini quiz
What is the plural of un repas (a meal)?
Des repas (meals)
Quiz - Making nouns plural in French
Practise what you've learned about making nouns plural with this quiz.
Video: French nouns and articles
Watch the video for further information on nouns and articles in French.
Now you’ve learned about making nouns plural, why not explore gender and number agreement in French?
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