Plural of noun

Understanding Dutch plurals: the big picture

• In Dutch, most plurals end in -en, -s or -’s.
• The ending depends mainly on the last sound/letters of the singular word.
• Sometimes the spelling inside the word changes a little (for example: brief → brieven).
• In a few very common cases, you use no plural after a number (for example: twee kilo).

Use the steps below as a quick decision guide.

Step 1 – Should I add -en, -s or -’s?

1. Look at the last sound / letters of the word.
2. Ask: Does it “feel” like a typical Dutch word, or a loanword (from English, French, etc.)?

Step 2 – Check for small spelling changes

Sometimes, when you add -en, the inside of the word changes to keep Dutch pronunciation rules.

• Double vowel → single vowel before -en:
  • de maan → de manen (not maanen)
  • de boom → de bomen (not boomen)
• -f → -v and -s → -z before -en:
  • de brief → de brieven
  • het huis → de huizen

You do not change f → v or s → z when you add -s:

• de chef → de chefs (not chevs)
• de bus → de bussen (here you add -en, and s becomes z in pronunciation, but spelling stays ss)

Step 3 – Special case: -’s plurals

Use -’s mainly when the word ends in a vowel sound + vowel letter and adding only -s would look or sound strange.

• Typical patterns:
  • -a: de agenda → de agenda’s
  • -i: de taxi → de taxi’s
  • -o: de auto → de auto’s
  • -u: het menu → de menu’s
  • -y: de hobby → de hobby’s

Compare:

• de foto → de foto’s (Dutch spelling)
• English: photo → photos (no apostrophe)

So: do not copy English spelling here.

Step 4 – When you do not use a plural after a number

In a few very common combinations, Dutch keeps the word in the singular after a number.

• Weights and measures:
  • twee kilo appel (not twee kilo’s appels)
  • drie liter melk
• Time words (in this meaning: duration, age, period):
  • twee jaar
  • drie uur
  • een kwartier
• Money units:
  • vijf euro
  • tien cent

Important:

• Plural is correct in other meanings of these words.
  • De jaren (the years of your life, history)
  • De uren (the hours of the day)
  • De euro’s (the coins or banknotes)

Self-check: quick decision questions

1. Does the word end in -a, -i, -o, -u or -y?
   → Probably add -’s (auto’s, taxi’s, hobby’s).
2. Does the word end in -el, -en, -em, -er or -e?
   → Usually add -s (tafels, meisjes, kopjes).
3. Is it a diminutive in -je?
   → Add -s (huisjes, kopjes).
4. Is it a “normal” Dutch noun not covered above?
   → Try -en. Then check spelling: double vowel, f/s.
5. Is there a number + kilo / jaar / uur / euro / cent?
   → Keep the noun in singular (drie kilo appel, vijf euro).

Typical confusion points (and how to fix them)

• Copying English plurals
  • English: photos → Dutch: foto’s
  • English: hobbies → Dutch: hobby’s
  • Strategy: if the Dutch word ends in a bare vowel, think of -’s.
• Adding -en after kilo / euro / uur
  • twee kilo’s appels → twee kilo appel
  • vijftig euro’s (for price) → vijftig euro
  • Use plural euro’s only when you mean many separate coins/banknotes.
• Forgetting sound changes
  • brieven vs. brieven – here the change is correct: brief → brieven.
  • Check if a final f or s should become v or z before -en.

Short practice for self-test

Cover the right side with your hand or paper. Decide the plural, then check.

What you should now be able to do

• Choose between -en, -s and -’s for most Dutch nouns.
• Recognise and apply common spelling changes in plurals.
• Know when to avoid the plural after numbers (kilo, jaar, uur, euro, cent).
• Quickly self-check your plural in context before you speak or write.

If something still feels unclear, take 5–10 nouns from your own work context and write their plurals. Check them in a dictionary or with these rules until the patterns feel automatic.