So which nouns get -en in their plural and which ones get -s?
Let us assume that all nouns are in principle - _en_ nouns. Below, the characteristics of nouns that take - _s_ in the plural are outlined. Generally speaking, all other nouns are - _en_ nouns. It may a bit overwhelming, all these little rules. Most people do not learn them by heart, they just start using the right plural forms when they grow into the phonetics of the Dutch language.
We add -s to the following nouns:
- Nouns that end in a single vowel
- Nouns that end in an unstressed vowel combination
- Nouns that end in the unstressed endings -el, -em, -en, -er, -erd, -aar, -aard, or -um
- Nouns that end in the stressed endings -eur and -foon
- Person's titles or professions that end in -oor or -ier
- Foreign words that also take the plural -s in their original language
- Names of letters and acronyms
1. Nouns that end in a single vowel (see [long vowels](#/lesson/SpellingAndPronunciation.09))
Add an [apostrophe](#/lesson/SpellingAndPronunciation.27) ('s) to nouns ending in single a, i, o, u, or y. They need an apostrophe to keep their vowels long.
de oma | de oma's | the grandmas
de sk i | de ski's | the skis
de radio | de radio's | the radios
het men u | de menu's | the menus
de baby | de baby's | the babies
Some nouns that end in 'u' can take both -en and -s: individuen/individu's, residuen/residu's.
Do not add an apostrophe to nouns ending in a single -e, as this is a [mute e](#/lesson/SpellingAndPronunciation.17).
de breedte | de breedtes | the widths
de boete | de boetes | the fines
de ziekt e | de ziektes | the diseases
Exception: adjective-based nouns that refer to people get -n in their plural form:
de bekende | de bekende n | the known people
de gepensioneerde | de gepensioneerde n | the retirees
de werkende | de werkende n | the working people
Sometimes, nouns ending in a mute e are given an -en ending. However, this cannot be done to all nouns so if you want to play it safe you better use the -s ending.
2. Nouns that end in an unstressed [vowel combination](#/lesson/SpellingAndPronunciation.12).
The most common unstressed vowel combination you find at the end of a singular noun is _ie_. Other unstressed vowel combinations at the end of a noun are quite rare. In the table, the stressed syllables are underlined.
de repetitie | de repetities | the rehearsals
de visie | de visies | the visions
de bamboe | de bamboes | the bamboos
Exceptions: bacterie - bacteriën and chemicalie - chemicaliën [1]
3. Nouns that end in the unstressed endings -el, -em, -en, -er, -erd, -aar, -aard, or -um
In the table, the stressed syllables are underlined.
de lepel | de lepels | the spoons
de bezem | de bezems | the brooms
de keuken | de keukens | the kitchens
de wekker | de wekkers | the alarm clocks
de engerd | de engerds | the creeps
de gierigaard | de gierigaards | the scroogy persons
de wandelaar | de wandelaars[2] | the (recreational) walkers
de geranium | de geraniums [3] | the geraniums
4. Nouns that end in the stressed endings -eur and -foon
In the table, the stressed syllables are underlined.
de monteur | de monteurs | the technicians
de carburateur | de carburateurs | the carburetter
de telefoon | de telefoons | the phones
de microfoon | de microfoons | the microphones
5. Person's titles or professions that end in -oor or -ier
de majoor | de majoors | the majors
de pastoor | de pastoors | the pastors
de bankier | de bankiers | the bankers
de kruidenier | de kruideniers | the grocers
6. Foreign words that also take the plural -s in their original language
The Dutch language has borrowed many words from English and French, where the plural is formed by adding -s.
de elektricien | de elektriciens | the electricians
het depot | de depots | the depots
de tram | de trams | the trams
het duel | de duels | the duels
7. Names of letters and acronyms
Add an [apostrophe](#/lesson/SpellingAndPronunciation.27) between the letter/acronym and the -s ending.
de BV | de BV's | the ltd's
de cd | de cd's | the cd's
a | a's | a's
b | b's | b's
Exception: acronyms and letters that already end in an -s sound get -en (note the apostrophe!).
de x | de x'en | the x'es
de s | de s'en | the s'es
de HTS | de HTS'en | the technical colleges
de vwx | de vwx'en | non-existent acronym
Notes:
[1] Note that we do not add -en, but only -n. The reason for this is that the last syllable is unstressed. Had it been stressed, as in genie (genius), we would have added -en: genieën.
[2] In Dutch as it is spoken in Holland, many -but not all- words that end in - _aar_ get the ending - _en_ instead of - _s_. They do this for words like eigenaren (owners), leraren (teachers), and ambtenaren (civil servants). The Flemmish are more consistent in using the -s ending.
[3] Several Latin - _um_ nouns can also take - _a_ as the plural ending.