German nouns form their plurals in several ways, so learn each noun with its article and plural.
The idea
Common patterns include e, er, n or en, s and no ending; some also change the vowel. The nominative plural definite article is always die.
| Form / Muster | Beispiel / Gegensatz |
|---|---|
| der Tisch | die Tische |
| das Buch | die Bücher |
| die Tasche | die Taschen |
| das Auto | die Autos |
| der Apfel | die Äpfel |
| das Fenster | die Fenster |
Weak masculine nouns add -(e)n outside nominative singular. Compare der Student and den Studenten. German n-declension: der Student, den Studenten
Examples
- Die Tische sind gedeckt.
- Zwei Bücher fehlen im Regal.
- Meine Taschen sind schwer.
- Die Autos stehen draußen.
- Drei Äpfel liegen im Korb.
- Die Fenster bleiben geschlossen.
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Watch out
No single ending works for every noun. Learn das Buch – die Bücher, die Tasche – die Taschen and das Auto – die Autos as complete pairs, including any umlaut.
Try it yourself
ein Buch, zwei ___
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Bücher
Buch forms its plural with an umlaut and -er: das Buch – die Bücher. Learn both changes together.
eine Tasche, drei ___
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Taschen
Tasche forms its plural by adding -n: die Tasche – die Taschen. The final -e is already part of the singular.
ein Auto, vier ___
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Autos
Auto takes -s in the plural: das Auto – die Autos. The plural definite article is die, regardless of singular gender.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
ein Buch, zwei ___
eine Tasche, drei ___
ein Auto, vier ___
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Write a two-line conversation around “Die Tische sind gedeckt.”. Use the target expression in your reply and make its intended meaning clear.