In French, most nouns form their plural by adding -s to the singular form. However, there are important exceptions for nouns ending in -eau, -eu, and -al. Typical plural endings are -s, -x, and -aux.
- Most nouns: add -s (le chat → les chats)
- Nouns ending in -eau/-eu: add -x (le bateau → les bateaux)
- Nouns ending in -al: change to -aux (le cheval → les chevaux)
- The plural article is les for all plural nouns
Most French nouns form their plural with -s.
The typical plural ending for most French nouns is -s.
Common plural endings include -s, -x, and -aux.
Regular Plural: -s
For most nouns, add -s to make the plural. The article changes from le/la to les.
| Singular | Plural | English |
|---|---|---|
| le chat | les chats | the cats |
| la fille | les filles | the girls |
- Plural noun ending: -s
- Plural article: les
Most nouns get an -s in the plural.
Masculine singular nouns like 'le chat, le chien, le livre' get an -s for plural.
Exception 1: Nouns in -eau, -eu → -x
Nouns ending in -eau or -eu form their plural with -x.
| Singular | Plural | English |
|---|---|---|
| le bateau | les bateaux | the boats |
| le jeu | les jeux | the games |
- Ends -eau/-eu → plural -x
- Article: les
Nouns ending in -eau or -eu get -x in the plural.
Nouns with endings -eau and -eu like 'le bateau' and 'le jeu' get -x in plural.
Exception 2: Nouns in -al → -aux
Most nouns ending in -al change to -aux in plural (some exceptions exist).
| Singular | Plural | English |
|---|---|---|
| le cheval | les chevaux | the horses |
| l’animal | les animaux | the animals |
- Ends -al → plural -aux
- Article: les
Most -al nouns change to -aux in plural.
Nouns ending in -al like 'cheval' and 'animal' change to -aux for plural.
Summary
| Singular Ending | Plural Ending | Example Sing. | Example Plur. | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| - (most) | -s | le chat | les chats | cat/cats |
| -eau, -eu | -x | le bateau | les bateaux | boat/boats |
| -al | -aux | le cheval | les chevaux | horse/horses |
French noun plurals generally follow regular patterns but with key exceptions for certain endings.
Main plural endings are -s, -x, and -aux.
Nouns ending in -al change to -aux: un animal → des animaux.
Correct plurals: les chevaux, les bateaux, les chats.
The plural article is 'les' for all noun plurals.