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Learn the plural forms of Dutch nouns and their rules. This lesson covers plural endings such as -en, -s, and -'s, including examples like "de berg → de bergen" and "de auto → de auto's." Discover special cases with noun endings, measurement units, and compare Dutch plural formation with English to deepen your understanding.
  1. The plural form of a noun usually depends on the last letter or letters of the word in the singular.
Regel (Rule)Meervoud (Plural)Voorbeeld (Example)

Woorden op 2 of 3 medeklinkers (Words ending in 2 or 3 consonants)

Woorden op -au, -ou, -ei, -ie (Words ending in -au, -ou, -ei, -ie)

Woorden die eindigen op -ei, -ij, -eu, -ui, -oe (Words ending in -ei, -ij, -eu, -ui, -oe)

-en

De berg → De bergen (The mountain → The mountains)

De klauw → De klauwen (The claw → The claws)

de trui → De truien (The sweater → The sweaters)

Woorden die eindigen op -el, -en, -em, -er (Words that end in -el, -en, -em, -er)

Woorden die eindigen op -e (Words ending in -e)

Verkleinwoorden (Diminutives)

Woorden die eindigen op -ie (Words ending in -ie)

Woorden die uit een andere taal komen (Words that come from another language)

Woorden die eindigen op -é (Words ending in -é)

-s

De tafel → De tafels (The table → The tables)

Het meisje → De meisjes (The girl → The girls)

Het kopje → De kopjes (The cup → The cups)

De familie → De families (The family → The families)

Het restaurant → De restaurants (The restaurant → The restaurants)

Het café → De cafés (The café → The cafés)

Woorden op -a, -i, -o, -u, -y (Words ending in -a, -i, -o, -u, -y)-’sDe auto → De auto's (The car → The cars)
Woorden op een dubbele klinker + medeklinker (Words ending with a double vowel + consonant)-en (verdwijnt een klinker) ((a vowel disappears))De maan → De manen (The moon → The moons)
Woorden op -f of -s (Words ending in -f or -s)-v of -z + enDe brief → De brieven (The letter → The letters)

Exceptions!

  1. After a number, a measure or a weight does not get a plural. For example: 'tien kilo'.
  2. In time indications like year, quarter, and hour, the plural is also not used. For example: 'twee jaar'.
  3. For units such as euro, cent, do not use the plural form. For example: 'vijf euro'.

Exercise 1: Meervoud van zelfstandig naamwoord

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

sessies, interesses, cafés, passies, foto's, workshops, instructeurs

1. De passie:
De ... van de deelnemers variëren van kunst tot muziek.
(The passions of the participants range from art to music.)
2. De sessie:
De verschillende ... van de cursus waren erg interessant.
(The different sessions of the course were very interesting.)
3. De instructeur:
De ... gaven duidelijke uitleg tijdens de les.
(The instructors gave clear explanations during the lesson.)
4. De workshop:
In de ... leerden we nieuwe vaardigheden en technieken.
(In the workshops we learned new skills and techniques.)
5. De foto:
De fotografen nemen prachtige ... tijdens het evenement.
(The photographers take beautiful photos during the event.)
6. De interesse:
Ik heb meerdere ....
(I have multiple interests.)
7. Het café:
Na de workshop gaan we met zen allen naar verschillende ...
(After the workshop, we will all go to different pubs.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct sentence regarding plural forms and appropriate vocabulary about hobby lessons.

1.
The plural of 'photo' must be 'photo's', not singular.
The plural of 'photo' is 'photo's' with an apostrophe because of the long vowel.
2.
The plural of 'instructor' is 'instructors', not 'instructuren'.
The plural of 'private lesson' is 'private lessons' in this context.
3.
'Group lessons' is the correct plural form, not 'groupless'.
The plural of 'group lesson' is 'group lessons', not singular.
4.
'Interesssen' is not a correct plural form of 'interest'.
'Interest' is usually used in singular to indicate interest.

Plural Forms of Dutch Nouns

This lesson focuses on the pluralization rules for Dutch nouns (zelfstandige naamwoorden). Understanding how to form plurals correctly is essential for building vocabulary and speaking fluently. In Dutch, the plural endings mainly include -en, -s, and -'s, and the correct form depends largely on the ending of the singular noun.

Key Plural Endings

  • -en: Used for words ending with two or three consonants, as well as nouns ending in -au, -ou, -ei, -ie. For example, de berg → de bergen (the mountain → the mountains) and de klauw → de klauwen (the claw → the claws).
  • -s: Adds to words ending with -el, -en, -em, -er, nouns ending with -e, diminutives, loanwords, and those ending in -é. For example, de tafel → de tafels (the table → the tables) and het café → de cafés.
  • -'s: Applied to words ending with vowels like -a, -i, -o, -u, -y. Example: de auto → de auto's (the car → the cars).

Other Rules and Notes

Words that end with a double vowel + a consonant often take the -en ending, but a vowel may disappear, e.g., de maan → de manen (the moon → the moons). For nouns ending in -f or -s, the plural shifts to -v or -z before adding -en, like de brief → de brieven (the letter → the letters).

Important exceptions include measurement units and time indications (e.g., tien kilo, twee jaar) which don’t take a plural form after a number. Similarly, currencies such as euro and cent remain singular after numbers (e.g., vijf euro).

Comparing Dutch and English Plurals

Unlike English, where plural nouns usually simply add -s or -es, Dutch plural formation is more varied and often depends on the word ending. For example, English “claw” becomes “claws,” while Dutch klauw becomes klauwen. Another difference is the use of apostrophes in plurals of words ending in vowels, such as auto's (cars), which English does not require.

Useful vocabulary includes: meervoud (plural), enkelvoud (singular), and zelfstandig naamwoord (noun). Knowing these can help understand explanations and grammar guides in Dutch.

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Kato De Paepe

Business and languages

KdG University of Applied Sciences and Arts Antwerp

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Last Updated:

Monday, 14/07/2025 22:53