Language/French/Grammar/Plural

This article explains how to use the plural in French.

In general, the French nouns form the plural by adding an s to the singular: un cahier / des cahiers (a notebook / notebooks) Exceptions to this rule are for singular nouns ending with:

's', 'x' or 'z'

Singular nouns ending with 's', 'x' or 'z' do not change at plural:

• le fils / les fils (the son / the sons)

'-au', '-eau' or '-eu'

Singular nouns ending with '-au', '-eau' or '-eu' ends with an '-x' at plural:

• le feu / les feux (the fire / fires).

'-ou'

Seven singular nouns ending with '-ou' end with an '-x' at plural:

• bijou / bijoux; caillou / cailloux; chou / choux; genou / genoux; hibou / hiboux; joujou / joujoux; pou / poux.

'-al'

Singular nouns ending with '-al' change their termination to '-aux':

• le cheval / les chevaux.

'-ail'

Many singular nouns ending with '-ail' change this termination '-aux':

• Travail / travaux; corail / coraux, etc.

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Plural of nouns in French: