French nouns can be singular or plural. As each noun requires an article (definite or indefinite), it means they also have a special form to indicate singular and plural.
We’ll demonstrate how to make plural nouns in French grammar with quick and easy examples; then you’ll be able to test your knowledge with some exercises.
How to Form the Plural of French Nouns
General Rules
- The plural form of a noun is usually created by changing the article to les/des and adding an -s to a noun.
- Example:
un stylo : a pen
des stylos : some pens
un livre : a book
des livres : some books
un cinéma : a movie theater
des cinémas : some movie theaters
un professeur : a professor
des professeurs : some professors
un chien : a dog
des chiens: some dogs
As you must notice, before the noun, there’s an indefinite article that changes accordingly into a plural form des. The same will go for definite articles. Learn more about Definite and Indefinite Articles in French.
2. Noun ends in –s, –x, or –z: Plural form remains the same.
un bras : an arm
des bras : some arms
un choix : a choice
des choix : some choices
un nez : a nose
des nez : some noses
3. Noun ends in –eau or –eu – au: Add an –x to form the plural.
un château : a castle
des châteaux : some castles
un neveu : nephew
des neveux : nephews
Un oiseau : a bird
des oiseaux : birds
Un cheveu : hair
des cheveux : hairs
4. Noun ends in –al : Drop the –al and substitute it with –aux to form the plural.
un animal : an animal
des animaux : some animals
un cheval : a horse
des chevaux : some horses
un journal : a newspaper
des journaux : some newspapers
Some words ending in –al are regular :
Un festival : des festivals
Un bal : des bals
Un carnaval : des carnavals
5. Words ending in –ou:
Most of them are regular:
Un trou : hole
Des trous : holes
Irregular nouns ending in -ou with a plural in -x:
Bijou (jewel) : des bijoux
Caillou (stone) : des cailloux
Chou (cabbage) : des choux
Genou (knee) : des genoux
Hibou (owl) : des hiboux
Joujou (kids word for toy) : des joujoux
Irregular Plural Forms in French
These just have to be memorized.
un oeil : an eye
des yeux : some eyes
monsieur : Mr. / Sir / a man
messieurs : men
madame : Mrs. / Ma’am / a lady / a woman
mesdames : ladies / women
mademoiselle : Miss / a young lady / a young woman
mesdemoiselles : young ladies / young women
Ciel : sky
Two plurals are accepted: des ciels, des cieux : heavens
French Nouns only in Plural
A few French nouns are used, mainly in the plural form, and rarely in the singular form.
les gens : people
les lunettes : eyeglasses
les mathématiques / les maths : mathematics / math
les sciences : science
les vacances : vacation
Online Exercises to Improve Your French
When it comes to memorizing, nothing is more important than the practice. It’s a way to sharpen your memory, raise some doubts and make sure you learn how to apply all these rules when you need it.