dijete → djeca; čovjek → ljudi

Common Irregular Plurals

Level 3

Learn dijete with djeca and čovjek with ljudi.

How It Works

Dijete is neuter singular: dijete je došlo. Its collective plural djeca takes the familiar pattern djeca su došla. Genitive djece and dative djeci are worth learning together.

Čovjek has plural ljudi. Compare čovjek je došao and ljudi su došli. Other useful plural forms include genitive ljudi and dative/instrumental ljudima.

Djeca is not an ordinary neuter -a plural like sela. Use its own forms and agreement instead of combining its surface ending with an unrelated noun rule.

Examples (3)

  1. Dijete je zaspalo.

    The child has fallen asleep.

    The singular participle is neuter.

  2. Djeca su došla kući.

    The children have come home.

    Djeca uses su with došla.

  3. Pomažemo ljudima.

    We help people.

    Ljudima is dative plural of čovjek.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

dijete → djeca; čovjek → ljudiLevel 3Common Irregular Plurals

Learn This First

Common suppletive plurals contrast with regular number changes.

Words in This Pattern

dijetečovjekljudi