-(e)n

Plural Ending -(e)n

Level 1

The -(e)n ending is the 'default' plural for feminine nouns. It is also used for a specific group of masculine nouns (weak nouns), certain loanwords, and a few neuter nouns. It almost never adds an umlaut to the stem vowel.

How It Works

The -(e)n plural is the most common pattern in German. Here is how to apply it:

1. Feminine Nouns (The Majority)
About 90% of feminine nouns use this ending.

  • If the noun ends in -e, -el, or -er, just add -n: die Lampe → die Lampen.
  • Exceptions: die Mutter and die Tochter do not take an ending; they use an umlaut instead (die Mütter).
  • If it does not end in -e, -el, or -er, many add -en: die Frau → die Frauen. However, some common one-syllable nouns like die Hand use the plural -e pattern.
  • Nouns ending in -in (female professions) double the 'n': die Lehrerin → die Lehrerinnen.

2. Weak Masculine Nouns & -or Nouns
A group of masculine nouns (weak nouns) take this ending: der Junge → die Jungen. Also, masculine nouns ending in -or use it: der Motor → die Motoren.

3. Neuter Nouns & Loanwords
A small group of neuter nouns use this pattern: das Bett → die Betten, das Ohr → die Ohren. Many loanwords ending in -um or -ma also take -en (often replacing the ending): das Museum → die Museen, das Thema → die Themen.

Important Note: Unlike other plural patterns, the -(e)n ending almost never triggers an umlaut change. A rare exception is die Werkstatt → die Werkstätten.

Examples (5)

  1. Die Frauen trinken Tee.

    The women are drinking tea.

    Word by Word: The women drink tea.

    The feminine noun 'Frau' does not end in '-e', so we add '-en' to form the plural.

  2. Ich habe zwei Katzen.

    I have two cats.

    Word by Word: I have two cats.

    The noun 'Katze' ends in '-e', so we only add '-n' for the plural.

  3. Die Studenten lernen Deutsch.

    The students are learning German.

    Word by Word: The students learn German.

    'Student' is a weak masculine noun that takes the '-en' ending in the plural.

  4. Meine Augen sind blau.

    My eyes are blue.

    Word by Word: My eyes are blue.

    'Auge' is one of the few neuter nouns that takes the '-n' plural ending.

  5. Wir suchen die Lehrerinnen.

    We are looking for the (female) teachers.

    Word by Word: We search the teachers.

    Nouns ending in '-in' double the 'n' before adding '-en' in the plural.

Common Mistakes

  • Adding an unnecessary umlaut to the plural form.

    die Fräuen
    die Frauen

    Unlike the '-e' or '-er' plural patterns, the '-(e)n' pattern almost never adds an umlaut to the stem vowel. A rare exception is 'die Werkstatt' (die Werkstätten).

  • Using the English '-s' plural for feminine nouns.

    die Lampes
    die Lampen

    While some German words take '-s', almost all feminine nouns ending in '-e' must take '-n'.

  • Forgetting the double 'n' for female titles.

    die Studentinen
    die Studentinnen

    When a feminine noun ends in '-in', you must double the 'n' to 'nn' before adding the plural '-en'.

How It Connects

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

-(e)nLevel 1Plural Ending -(e)n

Learn This First

To understand the -(e)n plural ending, you first need to know that German nouns have genders (masculine, feminine, neuter) since this ending is the standard for most feminine nouns. You should also be familiar with the plural article 'die' and the basic rule that all nouns are capitalized.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

-en-n