plural

The Plural of Nouns in French (Le pluriel des noms)

Forming the plural of nouns in French is usually straightforward, but there are a few special groups and exceptions you need to know. Let's break them down step-by-step.

1. The General Rule

For most French nouns, you simply add an -s to the end of the singular form. Note that the plural article changes from un/une (a/an) or le/la (the) to des or les. The final -s is usually silent.

• un enfant → des enfants (a child → children)
• une chaise → des chaises (a chair → chairs)

2. Nouns Ending in -s, -x, or -z (No Change)

If a noun already ends in -s, -x, or -z in its singular form, it does not change in the plural. Only the article before it changes. Sometimes, the pronunciation of the word itself changes slightly.

• un pays → des pays (a country → countries)
• une voix → des voix (a voice → voices)
• un gaz → des gaz (a gas → gases)
• un os [pronounced "os"] → des os [pronounced "o"] (a bone → bones)

3. Nouns Ending in -eau, -au, or -eu (Add -x)

Nouns that end in -eau, -au, or -eu usually form their plural by adding an -x instead of an -s. The final -x is also silent.

• un bateau → des bateaux (a boat → boats)
• un tuyau → des tuyaux (a pipe → pipes)
• un cheveu → des cheveux (a hair → hairs/hair)

Common Exceptions: Some words in this group take a regular -s instead.

• un pneu → des pneus (a tire → tires)
• un bleu → des bleus (a bruise → bruises)

4. The Seven Exceptions Ending in -ou

Most nouns ending in -ou follow the general rule and just add an -s (for example: un trou → des trous / a hole → holes). However, there are exactly seven specific nouns ending in -ou that take an -x instead:

• un bijou → des bijoux (a jewel → jewels)
• un caillou → des cailloux (a pebble → pebbles)
• un chou → des choux (a cabbage → cabbages)
• un genou → des genoux (a knee → knees)
• un hibou → des hibous (an owl → owls)
• un joujou → des joujoux (a toy → toys)
• un pou → des poux (a louse → lice)

5. Nouns Ending in -al (Change to -aux)

About thirty common nouns ending in -al drop the -al and change it to -aux in the plural form.

• un animal → des animaux (an animal → animals)
• un journal → des journaux (a newspaper → newspapers)
• un cheval → des chevaux (a horse → horses)
• un hôpital → des hôpitaux (a hospital → hospitals)

Exceptions: The remaining nouns ending in -al follow the general rule and simply add an -s.

• un bal → des bals (a ball/dance → balls/dances)
• un festival → des festivals (a festival → festivals)

6. Nouns Ending in -ail (Add -s or Change to -aux)

Most nouns ending in -ail follow the regular rule and take an -s.

• un éventail → des éventails (a hand fan → hand fans)

However, a few important words in this group completely change their ending to -aux.

• un travail → des travaux (a work/job → works/jobs)
• un corail → des coraux (a coral → corals)
• un vitrail → des vitraux (a stained-glass window → stained-glass windows)