German A1 · Grammar cheat code
No rule — memorise the plural. 5 types cover almost everything.
| Type | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | add -e | der Hund → die Hunde |
| 2 | add -e + umlaut | der Stuhl → die Stühle |
| 3 | add -er (+ umlaut) | das Kind → die Kinder |
| 4 | add -(e)n | die Frau → die Frauen |
| 5 | no change / -s | der Lehrer → Lehrer · Auto → Autos |
Die Kinder spielen im Park.
The children are playing in the park.
Ich kaufe die Bücher für die Schule.
I'm buying the books for school.
The article is your best clue to the plural type.
| Type | Nouns (plural) |
|---|---|
| 1 (-e) | Tag (Tage), Jahr (Jahre) |
| 2 (-e +ü) | Stuhl (Stühle), Stadt (Städte) |
| 3 (-er) | Kind (Kinder), Buch (Bücher) |
| 4 (-en/-n) | Frau (Frauen), Mensch (Menschen) |
| 5 | Lehrer (Lehrer), Auto (Autos) |
Er geht mit den Kindern spazieren.
He's going for a walk with the children.
Wir warten nach den Stunden auf die Busse.
We wait for the buses after the lessons.
Questions
- What is the rule for Noun Plurals?
- No rule — memorise the plural. 5 types cover almost everything.
- How do I use Noun Plurals?
- die nouns → almost always -(e)n (Type 4). das nouns → often -er (Type 3). der nouns → often -e or -e+umlaut (Types 1/2).
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