French plurals: how to form plural nouns and articles in French, including regular rules, common exceptions, and examples.
In French, making nouns plural is mostly about adding an -s, but the spelling can change depending on the ending and some exceptions. Plus, the articles (the/a) change too.
How to Form Plural Nouns
. Most nouns: Add -s
- exemple → exemples (example → examples)
- chat → chats (cat → cats)
. Nouns ending in -s, -x, or -z: No change in spelling
- fils → fils (son → sons)
- prix → prix (price → prices)
- nez → nez (nose → noses)
. Nouns ending in -eau, -eu, -ieu: Add -x
- château → châteaux (castle → castles)
- jeune → jeunes (young → young [plural]; note: 'jeune' is an adjective)
- lieu → lieux (place → places)
. Nouns ending in -al: Usually change -al to -aux
- journal → journaux (newspaper → newspapers)
- animal → animaux (animal → animals)
. Nouns ending in -ail: Usually add -s, but some change to -aux
- travail → travaux (work → works)
- détail → détails (detail → details)
. Nouns ending in -oux: usually add -s, except a few irregulars
- bijou → bijoux (jewel → jewels)
- genou → genoux (knee → knees)
. Irregular plurals: Must be memorized
- œil → yeux (eye → eyes)
- monsieur → messieurs (mister → sirs)
Plural Articles and Adjectives
. Definite articles (the)
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| le (m) / la (f) | les (both) |
- le chat → les chats
- la maison → les maisons
. Indefinite articles (a/an/some)
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| un (m) / une (f) | des (both) |
- un livre → des livres
- une voiture → des voitures
. Partitive articles (some)
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| du (m) / de la (f) | des |
- du pain → des pains (usually plural means more than one type)
. Adjective Agreement
Adjectives take -s in the plural (and -e if feminine)
- grand → grands / grandes
- petit → petits / petites
Example:
- le grand chien → les grands chiens
- la petite fille → les petites filles
Common Exceptions and Tips
. Pronunciation
- Most plural -s is silent: les chats ([le ʃa]) sounds like singular.
- Exceptions: if the next word starts with a vowel, liaison links the words (e.g., les amis → [lez‿ami]).
. Some singular nouns are always plural
- les ciseaux (scissors)
- les lunettes (glasses)
. Nouns with different meanings in plural
- un travail (a job) → des travaux (works/repairs)
- un fruit (a fruit) → des fruits (fruits)
Which of the following singular nouns are always plural in French?
les ciseaux (scissors), les lunettes (glasses)
Certain nouns like ciseaux and lunettes are always plural in French.
Summary
Rule | Example
- Add -s | chat → chats
- No change (-s, -x, -z) | prix → prix
- Add -x (-eau, -eu, -ieu) | bateau → bateaux
- -al → -aux | journal → journaux
- -ail add -s or -aux | détail → détails / travail → travaux
- Irregular | œil → yeux
Prenez votre temps et pratiquez avec des exemples réels ! (Take your time and practice with real examples!)
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
