Mastering plurals in Dutch is important for anyone learning the language. Knowing how to form plurals lets you speak and write about multiple things, making your communication more dynamic. In this article, we’ll guide you through the three main ways to form plurals in Dutch: by adding -en, -s, or ‘s. We’ll also provide examples based on singular word endings and highlight some irregular plurals that don’t follow the usual rules.

The Three Main Ways to Form Plurals in Dutch

1. Adding “-en”
   • The most common way to form plurals in Dutch is by adding -en. Often, the word’s stem may change slightly, such as vowel shifts or consonant changes.
     For example:
     Het boek (the book) becomes de boeken (the books).
2. Adding “-s”
   • For words that end in an unstressed vowel or foreign words borrowed into Dutch, the plural is often formed by adding -s.
     For example:
     De salade (the salad) becomes de salades (the salads).
3. Adding “-‘s”

For words that end in vowels like a, i, o, u, or y, you form the plural by adding ‘s to avoid confusion in pronunciation.
For example: De paraplu (the umbrella) becomes de paraplu’s (the umbrellas).

Plural Examples Based on Singular Word Endings

Here’s a table to help illustrate how singular word endings determine whether the plural takes -en, -s, or ‘s:

Irregular Plurals

Several irregular plurals in Dutch don’t follow the usual rules. Here are three of the most common irregular forms:

• Het kind (the child) → De kinderen (the children)

Important Points to Remember

• Sound changes: Some plurals require a sound shift. For example, words ending in -f often change to -v, and -s often changes to -z in the plural.
• Silent letters: Be mindful of silent vowels and consonants that may appear in the singular but disappear or change in the plural.

Practice and Consistency

• Use plurals in context: The best way to get comfortable with plurals is by using them in real-life situations. Describe things around you, and focus on how the plural forms change.
• Listen and repeat: Listen to how native Dutch speakers use plurals, whether in conversation, TV shows, or podcasts.

Learn Dutch Online with The Dutch Way

Ready to master Dutch grammar, including tricky plurals? With personalized private lessons, you’ll receive one-on-one guidance tailored to your learning pace and needs.

Sign up for private lessons here and take your Dutch skills to the next level.