CEFR A1 • Nomen und Artikel

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Numerus: Plural

Q: How many plural forms are there in German?

German has five main Pluralformen : –e (die Tische), –(e)n (die Frauen), –er (die Kinder), – no ending (die Fenster), and –s (die Autos). Some patterns also add an Umlaut to the stem vowel, for example der Baum → die Bäume .

Q: What is the definite article for all German plurals?

All German nouns use die as the definite article in the plural, regardless of their singular gender. Der Tisch becomes die Tische , das Kind becomes die Kinder , and die Frau becomes die Frauen .

Q: Which plural ending is most common for feminine nouns?

Most feminine nouns take the –(e)n ending in the plural: die Frau → die Frauen , die Lampe → die Lampen , die Schule → die Schulen . No Umlaut is ever added with this ending.

At CEFR level A1, Numerus refers to whether a noun is singular (one item) or plural (more than one). German has five main Pluralformen (plural endings), and mastering them will allow you to talk about quantities, describe multiple objects, and understand everyday German texts. Because plural forms are often unpredictable, you should always learn each noun together with its plural form.

Kernregel: The definite article in the plural is always die, regardless of the singular gender – der Tisch → die Tische, das Kind → die Kinder, die Frau → die Frauen.

Die Pluralformen – The Five Plural Patterns

German has five main patterns for forming the plural. Some also add an Umlaut (ä, ö, ü) to the stem vowel.

-e / -̈e (mit Umlaut)

Many masculine and some neuter nouns add -e, sometimes with an Umlaut.

der Tag → die Tage der Hund → die Hunde der Stuhl → die Stühle der Ball → die Bälle

-(e)n

Most feminine nouns add -n or -en. No Umlaut is added with this ending.

die Frau → die Frauen die Lampe → die Lampen die Schule → die Schulen die Uhr → die Uhren

-er / -̈er (mit Umlaut)

Many neuter and some masculine nouns add -er, often with an Umlaut.

das Kind → die Kinder das Buch → die Bücher das Haus → die Häuser der Mann → die Männer

Endung	Singular	Plural	Beschreibung
-e / -̈e	der Tisch, der Baum	die Tische, die Bäume	Common for masculine and neuter nouns. May add Umlaut.
-(e)n	die Frau, die Blume	die Frauen, die Blumen	Most feminine nouns use this ending. No Umlaut.
-er / -̈er	das Bild, das Glas	die Bilder, die Gläser	Common for neuter nouns. Often adds Umlaut.
- / -̈	der Lehrer, das Fenster	die Lehrer, die Fenster	No ending added. Nouns ending in -er, -el, -en. May add Umlaut.
-s	das Auto, das Hobby	die Autos, die Hobbys	Foreign words and words ending in vowels (except -e).

Hinweise & Muster – Tips and Patterns

These patterns can help you predict plural forms, but many nouns have irregular plurals. Always check a dictionary!

Keine Änderung (no change)

Nouns ending in -er, -en, -el: der Lehrer → die Lehrer
Neuter nouns with -chen, -lein: das Mädchen → die Mädchen
Some may still add Umlaut: der Apfel → die Äpfel

Feminine Nomen mit -(e)n

Most feminine nouns: die Frau → die Frauen
Nouns ending in -e: die Lampe → die Lampen
This is the most predictable pattern!

Fremdwörter mit -s

Foreign words: das Restaurant → die Restaurants
Words ending in vowels: das Sofa → die Sofas
Abbreviations: die Email → die Emails

Wichtige Regeln – Key Rules

Regel 1: The definite article in plural is always die, no matter what the singular gender was.

Artikel im Plural

der Tisch → die Tische
die Lampe → die Lampen
das Kind → die Kinder

Regel 2: Some nouns are only used in singular (das Obst, die Milch) or only in plural (die Eltern, die Leute).

Beispiele im Satz

Ich kaufe drei Bücher und zwei Hefte.
Viele Kinder spielen im Park.
Die Autos stehen vor dem Haus.

Häufig gestellte Fragen – FAQ

How many plural forms are there in German?

German has five main Pluralformen: –e (die Tische), –(e)n (die Frauen), –er (die Kinder), – no ending (die Fenster), and –s (die Autos). Some patterns also add an Umlaut to the stem vowel, for example der Baum → die Bäume.

What is the definite article for all German plurals?

All German nouns use die as the definite article in the plural, regardless of their singular gender. Der Tisch becomes die Tische, das Kind becomes die Kinder, and die Frau becomes die Frauen.

Do I need to memorise the plural form for every German noun?

Yes – although patterns exist, many nouns are irregular. The best strategy is to always learn a noun with its plural form from the start, for example das Buch / die Bücher. Dictionaries always list the plural form in the noun entry.

Which plural ending is most common for feminine nouns?

Most feminine nouns take the –(e)n ending in the plural: die Frau → die Frauen, die Lampe → die Lampen, die Schule → die Schulen. No Umlaut is ever added with this ending.