Plural formation: -en, -s, -'s rules with spelling changes
Can form Dutch plurals with correct spelling
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
De kinderen spelen in de tuin.
The children play in the garden.
Ik heb twee auto's en drie fietsen.
I have two cars and three bikes.
De brieven liggen op de tafels.
The letters are on the tables.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
Meervoud in het Nederlands: meestal -en of -s:
| Regel | Enkelvoud | Meervoud |
|---|---|---|
| Standaard: +en | boek | boeken |
| Klinkerverdubbeling | maan | manen (open lettergreep → één a) |
| Medeklinkerverdubbeling | man | mannen (korte klinker behouden) |
| +s (na -el, -em, -en, -er, -je) | tafel | tafels |
| +'s (na -a, -i, -o, -u, -y) | auto | auto's |
| f → v + en | brief | brieven |
| s → z + en | huis | huizen |
Onregelmatig: kind → kinderen, ei → eieren, stad → steden
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises
Practice ExercisesWrong spelling in plural form
Check: vowel simplification (maan→manen), consonant doubling (man→mannen), f→v, s→z.
De kinderen spelen in de tuin.
The children play in the garden.
'Kind' → 'kinderen' (irregular plural, adds -eren).
Ik heb twee auto's en drie fietsen.
I have two cars and three bikes.
'Auto' ends in vowel → auto's (with apostrophe-s). 'Fiets' → fietsen (standard -en).
De brieven liggen op de tafels.
The letters are on the tables.
'Brief' → 'brieven' (f→v in plural). 'Tafel' → 'tafels' (-s after -el).
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises