-s (pluriel des noms)

Plural -s

Level 1

In French, the standard way to show there is more than one of something is to add an -s to the end of the word. While this -s is usually silent when speaking, it is essential for correct writing.

How It Works

The regular plural is the most common way to indicate plurality in French.

1. Basic Rule
To form the plural of most nouns and adjectives, add an -s to the singular form. Crucially, you must also change the article:

Example: un chat (a cat) → des chats (cats).

2. The 'No Change' Rule
If a word already ends in -s, -x, or -z in its singular form, the spelling remains exactly the same:

  • un pays → des pays (countries)
  • un prix → des prix (prices)

3. Pronunciation and Liaison
The final -s is silent. However, a liaison is mandatory after plural articles (les, des) and determiners when the next word starts with a vowel, creating a [z] sound:

  • les amis (the friends) is pronounced /lezami/.

4. Agreement
French requires 'agreement,' meaning if a noun is plural, the adjectives must also be plural. For feminine adjectives, the -s is added to the feminine singular form:

  • une maison verte → des maisons vertes (-es ending)

Examples (5)

  1. J'ai des livres.

    I have some books.

    Word by Word: I have some books.

    The singular 'livre' adds an -s to become plural 'livres'.

  2. Les petites filles jouent.

    The little girls are playing.

    Word by Word: The little girls play.

    Both the adjective 'petites' and the noun 'filles' take an -s to match the plural subject.

  3. Il y a deux grands tapis.

    There are two large rugs.

    Word by Word: It there has two large rugs.

    The adjective 'grands' adds an -s, but 'tapis' stays the same because it already ends in -s.

  4. Tu aimes les pommes rouges ?

    Do you like red apples?

    Word by Word: You like the apples red?

    Both 'pommes' and 'rouges' are marked with -s to show they are plural.

  5. Nous regardons les films.

    We are watching the movies.

    Word by Word: We watch the movies.

    The noun 'films' takes the regular -s plural marker.

Common Mistakes

  • Pronouncing the final -s.

    les chats (pronounced with a 's' sound at the end)
    les chats (the 's' is silent)

    English speakers often want to pronounce the plural -s, but in French, it is silent unless there is a liaison with a following vowel.

  • Forgetting to add -s to adjectives.

    les voitures bleu
    les voitures bleues

    Because the -s is silent, it's easy to forget to write it on adjectives. Remember that adjectives must always agree with the noun they describe.

  • Adding -s to words already ending in -s, -x, or -z.

    des payss
    des pays

    Words ending in -s, -x, or -z are 'invariable' in the plural; they do not change their spelling.

How It Connects

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-s (pluriel des noms)Level 1Plural -s

Learn This First

To understand the regular plural in French, you must first be familiar with plural articles like 'les' and 'des', because the -s added to the noun is usually silent; the article is often the only audible indicator that a noun is plural. A basic grasp of the noun system (gender) is also helpful for categorization.

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Words in This Pattern

-s