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French • Level 1 • GRAMMAR

plural (2)

💡 Grammar Rule

Irregular Plural Forms and Special Rules in French

In French, most nouns become plural by adding an -s. However, there are several important exceptions involving irregular forms, proper nouns, and compound words.

1. Irregular Nouns

Some nouns change significantly in their plural form. Others change their pronunciation even if the spelling seems regular.

  • œil (eye) → yeux (eyes)
  • monsieur (sir/Mr.) → messieurs (gentlemen)
  • madame (ma'am/Mrs.) → mesdames (ladies)
  • mademoiselle (miss) → mesdemoiselles (young ladies)
  • jeune homme (young man) → jeunes gens (young people/men)
  • ciel (sky/heaven) → cieux (skies/heavens)

Note on Pronunciation: For the words œuf (egg) and bœuf (ox), the final "f" is pronounced in the singular but becomes silent in the plural.

  • un œuf (an egg - "f" is heard) → des œufs (eggs - "f" is silent)
  • un bœuf (an ox - "f" is heard) → des bœufs (oxen - "f" is silent)

2. Proper Nouns

Generally, family names (proper nouns) are invariable in French and do not take an "-s".

  • Les Durand (The Durands)
  • M. et Mme Durand (Mr. and Mrs. Durand)

Exception: Names of famous artists can be pluralized when referring to their works of art.

  • Deux Renoir(s) (Two Renoir paintings)

3. Plural of Compound Nouns

The pluralization of compound nouns depends on the parts of speech used:

  • Verb + Noun: Usually, the verb remains unchanged and the noun becomes plural.
    • un ouvre-boîte (a can opener) → des ouvre-boîtes (can openers)
    • un porte-avions (an aircraft carrier) → des porte-avions (aircraft carriers - note: already ends in "s")
    • Exceptions (Fixed): des porte-monnaie (wallets), des chasse-neige (snowplows)
  • Noun + Noun: Generally, both words become plural.
    • un chou-fleur (a cauliflower) → des choux-fleurs (cauliflowers)
    • une porte-fenêtre (a French door) → des portes-fenêtres (French doors)
    • Exception: des timbres-poste (postage stamps - "poste" remains singular as it means "of the post")
  • Adjective + Noun / Noun + Adjective / Adjective + Adjective: Both elements are pluralized.
    • un coffre-fort (a safe) → des coffres-forts (safes)
    • un grand-père (a grandfather) → des grands-pères (grandfathers)
    • un sourd-muet (a deaf-mute) → des sourds-muets (deaf-mutes)
    • Note: une grand-mère (a grandmother) → des grands-mères (grandmothers)
Does he have blue eyes?
A-t-il les yeux bleus ?
No, his eyes are green.
Non, ses yeux sont verts.
Good morning, gentlemen!
Bonjour, messieurs !
Good morning, madam.
Bonjour, madame.
What do the young people see there?
Que voient les jeunes gens là-bas ?
They are looking at the birds in the sky.
Ils regardent les oiseaux dans le ciel.
Are the Durands coming tonight?
Est-ce que les Durand viennent ce soir ?
Yes, Mr. and Mrs. Durand are arriving at eight.
Oui, M. et Mme Durand arrivent à huit heures.
How many Renoir paintings do you have?
Combien de Renoir as-tu ?
I have two Renoirs in my living room.
J’ai deux Renoir dans mon salon.
Where are the can openers?
Où sont les ouvre-boîtes ?
They are in the kitchen drawer.
Ils sont dans le tiroir de la cuisine.
Do you eat cauliflowers often?
Manges-tu souvent des choux-fleurs ?
Yes, I like vegetables a lot.
Oui, j’aime beaucoup les légumes.
The French windows are open.
Les portes-fenêtres sont ouvertes.
It is cold, I am going to close them.
Il fait froid, je vais les fermer.
Do you need these postage stamps?
As-tu besoin de ces timbres-poste ?
Yes, they are for my letters.
Oui, ils sont pour mes lettres.
Where are the safes?
Où sont les coffres-forts ?
They are behind the paintings.
Ils sont derrière les tableaux.
Do your grandfathers live here?
Est-ce que vos grands-pères habitent ici ?
No, they live in another city.
Non, ils habitent dans une autre ville.
Her granddaughters are very kind.
Ses petites-filles sont très aimables.
Yes, and they are very intelligent too.
Oui, et elles sont très intelligentes aussi.
Look at these snowplows!
Regarde ces chasse-neige !
They are very big and noisy.
Ils sont très grands et bruyants.
Do you have leather coin purses?
As-tu des porte-monnaie en cuir ?
No, I only have fabric wallets.
Non, j’ai seulement des portefeuilles en tissu.
Are there many aircraft carriers?
Y a-t-il beaucoup de porte-avions ?
No, the country has only three.
Non, le pays en a seulement trois.
Are we buying twelve eggs?
Achetons-nous douze œufs ?
Yes, to make a big cake.
Oui, pour faire un grand gâteau.
Good afternoon, young ladies!
Bonjour, mesdemoiselles !
Hello, how are you?
Bonjour, comment allez-vous ?
The grandmothers are preparing dinner.
Les grands-mères préparent le dîner.
It smells very good in the house.
Cela sent très bon dans la maison.
Does he know these deaf-mutes?
Connaît-il ces sourds-muets ?
Yes, he speaks their language.
Oui, il parle leur langue.
Do you see those oxen in the field?
Vois-tu ces bœufs dans le champ ?
Yes, they are very strong.
Oui, ils sont très forts.

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