German nouns form plurals in several different ways, and the plural article is always die regardless of the noun’s original gender. There is no single rule that applies to all nouns, but rather a set of patterns and guidelines based on the noun’s gender, ending, and sometimes origin.
- The plural article is always die in the nominative case.
- Common plural endings include -e, -er, -n/-en, -s, and sometimes no ending (zero ending).
- Umlaut changes (vowel shifts) occur in some plurals, especially for masculine and neuter nouns.
- Foreign loanwords typically form plurals with -s.
- Feminine nouns often add -n or -en, but some take -e or have no ending.
- Masculine and neuter nouns vary more widely, with -e, -er, and zero endings common.
Plural Endings by Gender
| Gender | Common Endings | Umlaut? | Example (Singular) | Plural Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Masculine | -e, -er, -en, (zero ending) | Often | der Hund | die Hunde | dogs |
| der Apfel | die Äpfel | apples | |||
| der Lehrer | die Lehrer | teachers | |||
| der Mann | die Männer | men | |||
| Neuter | -e, -er, -chen, -lein, (zero) | Often | das Kind | die Kinder | children |
| das Buch | die Bücher | books | |||
| das Mädchen | die Mädchen | girls | |||
| das Auto | die Autos | cars | |||
| Feminine | -n, -en, -e, (zero ending rare) | Rare | die Frau | die Frauen | women |
| die Lampe | die Lampen | lamps | |||
| die Blume | die Blumen | flowers | |||
| die Maus | die Mäuse | mice |
Special Notes
- Diminutives ending in -chen or -lein are always neuter and form plurals with - (no change), e.g., das Mädchen → die Mädchen.
- Some masculine and neuter nouns add -er and take an umlaut if possible: der Vater → die Väter.
- Foreign nouns usually form plurals with -s: das Foto → die Fotos, der Chef → die Chefs.
- A few nouns have irregular or unusual plurals that must be memorized: der Mensch → die Menschen, das Herz → die Herzen.
Plural Formation Steps
- Determine the noun’s gender.
- Look at the singular ending.
- Apply the appropriate plural ending pattern.
- Add umlaut if applicable.
- Use the plural article die.
Practice Examples
| Singular | Plural | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| der Tisch | die Tische | tables |
| die Tür | die Türen | doors |
| das Fenster | die Fenster | windows |
| der Lehrer | die Lehrer | teachers |
| die Lampe | die Lampen | lamps |
| das Mädchen | die Mädchen | girls |
| der Vogel | die Vögel | birds |
| das Auto | die Autos | cars |
| die Stadt | die Städte | cities |
| der Apfel | die Äpfel | apples |
Summary
German plural formation is complex but follows consistent patterns based on gender and noun endings. Always use die as the plural article and be on the lookout for umlauts and special endings.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
