-s plural

The German Plural Ending: -s

In German, most nouns form their plural by adding -e, -n, -er, or by using an Umlaut. However, the ending -s is used in specific categories. While it applies to all three genders (masculine, feminine, and neuter), its usage is restricted to certain types of words.

1. Loanwords from English and French

Many modern words borrowed from other languages take an -s in the plural. This is especially common with words that still feel "international."

• Das Hotel → die Hotels (The hotel → the hotels)
• Das Team → die Teams (The team → the teams)
• Der Chef → die Chefs (The boss → the bosses)
• Der Park → die Parks (The park → the parks)

Note: English words ending in -y always take -s in German, and unlike English, the spelling does not change to -ies.

• Das Baby → die Babys (The baby → the babies)
• Die Party → die Partys (The party → the parties)

2. Nouns Ending in Vowels (Except Unstressed -e)

If a noun ends in a full vowel like -a, -i, -o, or -u, it almost always takes an -s.

• Das Auto → die Autos (The car → the cars)
• Das Genie → die Genies (The genius → the geniuses)
• Der Uhu → die Uhus (The eagle owl → the eagle owls)
• Der Ossi → die Ossis (The East German → the East Germans)

3. Abbreviations and Shortened Forms

Words that are abbreviated or clipped versions of longer words use the -s ending.

• Der PKW → die PKWs (The car/passenger vehicle → the cars)
• Die Lok → die Loks (The locomotive → the locomotives)
• Die DVD → die DVDs (The DVD → the DVDs)

4. Family Names and Proper Names

When referring to a family or a group of people with the same name, German adds an -s.

• Die Müllers (The Millers / The Müller family)
• Die Buddenbrooks (The Buddenbrooks)

5. Maritime Terms and Informal Usage

Specific Northern German seafaring terms often take -s, such as die Decks (the decks) or die Kais (the quays). Additionally, in colloquial or informal speech, people often add -s to words referring to people, though this is often considered non-standard.

• Standard: die Jungen vs. Informal: die Jungs (the boys)
• Standard: die Mädel vs. Informal: die Mädels (the girls)

Important Reminder: Be careful with words ending in -er (like der Computer). Even if they are loanwords, they usually follow the German rule for -er endings and do not take an -s (die Computer).