In French, every noun has a gender (masculine or feminine) and must be used in the singular or plural form. Plurals usually add -s, but there are spelling rules. Adjectives and articles also change to match the noun’s gender and number.
Plural Formation
How to form plurals for different types of nouns.
- Most nouns add -s (e.g., chat → chats).
- Nouns ending in -eau, -au, or -eu add -x (e.g., bateau → bateaux).
- Nouns ending in -s, -x, or -z stay the same (e.g., prix → prix).
- Nouns ending in -al usually change to -aux (e.g., animal → animaux), but some just add -s (e.g., bal → bals).
- Nouns ending in -ail often become -ails or -aux (e.g., détail → détails; travail → travaux).
Gender Rules
How to determine or change the gender of nouns.
- Most nouns ending in -e are feminine (e.g., table), but there are exceptions.
- Nouns ending in -tion, -sion, -ité, -ure, -ance, -ence are usually feminine.
- Nouns ending in consonants or other vowels are often masculine (e.g., bureau, chien).
- To form the feminine, add -e (e.g., petit → petite), or use specific endings: -eur → -euse, -teur → -trice, -ien → -ienne.
- Some nouns have completely different feminine forms (e.g., acteur → actrice, roi → reine).
Most nouns ending in -e are:
Feminine
Most nouns ending in -e are feminine, though there are exceptions.
Agreement
How adjectives and articles change to match the noun’s gender and number.
- Singular masculine: base form (e.g., le petit chat).
- Singular feminine: add -e (e.g., la petite chatte).
- Plural add -s (masculine plural: petits chats, feminine plural: petites chattes).
- Articles: le (m. sing.), la (f. sing.), les (plural), un (m. sing.), une (f. sing.).
- Adjectives and past participles agree with gender and number (e.g., les fleurs sont arrivées).
Irregularities
Common exceptions and special cases to be aware of.
- Some nouns have identical singular and plural forms (e.g., un prix, des prix).
- A few change meaning in plural (e.g., un fruit = one fruit, des fruits = fruits in general).
- Some feminine forms are irregular (veuf → veuve, époux → épouse).
- Loanwords and compound nouns may have unique plural forms (e.g., des week-ends).
- Always consult a dictionary for irregular nouns.
Which of these plural forms comes from a loanword?
week-ends
Loanwords like 'week-end' form plurals by simply adding -s: week-ends.
Which noun has the same form in singular and plural?
prix
The noun 'prix' is the same in both singular and plural forms.
Summary of Key Patterns
A quick overview of the most important rules.
| Rule | Example Singular | Example Plural |
|---|---|---|
| Add -s | chat* | chats* |
| -eau / -au / -eu → -x | château* | châteaux* |
| Ends in -s / -x / -z | prix* | prix* |
| -al → -aux | animal* | animaux* |
| Feminine = masculine + -e | petit* | petite* |
- Remember: the written -s in plurals is silent.
- Always ensure articles and adjectives agree with the noun’s gender and number.
- When in doubt, check a French dictionary for the correct plural or feminine form.
French plurals and gender may seem complex at first, but most follow predictable patterns. With practice, you’ll become more comfortable recognizing and using them correctly.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
