Der Plural auf -lar/-ler

Turkish makes nouns plural with one suffix in two forms: -lar or -ler, chosen by vowel harmony. There are no irregular plurals like "children" or "mice".

The plural comes straight after the noun, before any other suffix: ev-ler-im (my houses), kitap-lar-ı (the books, as object).

No plural after a number

This is the rule English speakers break most. After a number, and after words of quantity like çok (many) and birkaç (a few), the noun stays singular:

• üç kitap - three books (not *üç kitaplar)
• iki çay - two teas
• çok turist - many tourists

The number already says "more than one", so Turkish does not repeat it. At a tea garden by the Bosphorus you order İki çay, lütfen.

Uses English would not expect

• A general statement often uses the singular: Kedi severim - I like cats.
• The plural can show respect or a group: Hocam geldiler (my teacher has arrived, respectful), Ahmetler (Ahmet and his family).
• Added to a number or time, it means "about": saat üçlerde (around three o'clock).