Nouns Used Only in the Plural

Level 3

A few nouns are used in the plural even when you mean one thing or an amount: Non teño cartos (I do not have any money), os anteollos (glasses), as vacacións (holidays).

How It Works

Only plural. The dictionary lists these as plural nouns:

  • os anteollos (glasses, binoculars); as lentes is also used
  • as cóxegas (tickling): Teño moitas cóxegas (I am very ticklish)
  • as tenaces (tongs, pincers)
  • os víveres (food supplies)

Nearly always plural. A singular exists, but everyday use is plural:

  • os cartos (money): Gastou todos os cartos. Diñeiro means the same and is singular.
  • as vacacións (holidays): Imos de vacacións.
  • os parabéns (congratulations): Moitos parabéns!
  • os arredores (outskirts): Vive nos arredores de Lugo.

Scissors and trousers. For one pair of scissors you can say a tesoira or, more usually, as tesoiras, and for one pair of trousers o pantalón or os pantalóns. Both are correct, but keep the agreement consistent: a tesoira está, as tesoiras están.

Agreement. Articles, possessives, adjectives and the verb are all plural, as in adjective agreement: Onde están os meus anteollos? To talk about one pair, use uns: Mercou uns anteollos novos (she bought a new pair of glasses).

Not the same as invariable nouns. A word like lapis has one form for both numbers (nouns with the same singular and plural). The nouns here are plural in form even for one item.

Examples (6)

  1. Non teño cartos para o cine.

    I don't have any money for the cinema.

    Word by Word: Not have-I moneys for the cinema.

  2. Onde deixei os anteollos?

    Where did I leave my glasses?

    Word by Word: Where left-I the glasses?

  3. Este verán imos de vacacións a Portugal.

    This summer we're going on holiday to Portugal.

    Word by Word: This summer go-we of holidays to Portugal.

  4. Moitos parabéns polo teu aniversario!

    Happy birthday!

    Word by Word: Many congratulations for-the your birthday!

  5. O meu irmán ten moitas cóxegas nos pés.

    My brother's feet are very ticklish.

    Word by Word: The my brother has many tickles on-the feet.

  6. Vivimos nos arredores da cidade.

    We live on the outskirts of the city.

    Word by Word: Live-we in-the outskirts of-the city.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the singular for a plural-only noun.

    O meu anteollo está roto.
    Os meus anteollos están rotos.

    Anteollos is a plural noun, even for one pair of glasses, so the article, possessive, verb and adjective are all plural.

  • Making the verb singular.

    Os cartos está na mesa.
    Os cartos están na mesa.

    Cartos is plural, so the verb is plural: están.

  • Using cóxegas in the singular.

    Faime cóxega.
    Faime cóxegas.

    Cóxegas is a plural noun: facer cóxegas, ter cóxegas.

How It Connects

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

Nouns Used Only in the PluralLevel 3

Learn This First

Plural-only nouns require plural agreement even when referring to one item or collection.