-들
Plural Marker
-들 is the Korean plural marker, similar to adding '-s' or '-es' to nouns in English. It is attached directly to a noun to show there are multiple items.
How It Works
-들 is the primary way to explicitly mark a noun as plural in Korean. It attaches directly to the end of a noun.
Formation:
Noun + 들
- 학생 (student) → 학생들 (students)
- 친구 (friend) → 친구들 (friends)
- 고양이 (cat) → 고양이들 (cats)
Usage Notes:
1. Optionality: In many cases, plurality is understood from the context, so -들 is not necessary. For example, if you say '사과 세 개' (three apples), you don't need to say '사과들'.
2. Common with People/Animals: -들 is most commonly used for people and animals. While it can be used for inanimate objects, it's often omitted for them unless you need to emphasize their plurality.
3. With Particles: Other particles like the subject marker 이/가 or the object marker 을/를 come after -들.
- 학생들 + 이 → 학생들이 (The students...)
- 책들 + 을 → 책들을 (the books...)
Examples (4)
- 아이들이 공원에서 놀아요.
The children are playing in the park.
Word by Word: Children-PLURAL at the park play.
- 저는 강아지들을 좋아해요.
I like dogs.
Word by Word: I dogs-PLURAL like.
- 선생님들이 회의하고 있어요.
The teachers are having a meeting.
Word by Word: Teachers-PLURAL are having a meeting.
- 책상 위에 책이 많아요.
There are many books on the desk.
Word by Word: Desk on top of book is many.
In this case, '책들' is not used because the word '많아요' (many) already implies that there is more than one book. Using -들 is optional when the context makes plurality clear.
Common Mistakes
Using -들 with numbers or other quantity words.
Different Meaning세 명의 친구들이 왔어요.Better세 명의 친구가 왔어요.When you use a number like '세' (three), the noun is already understood to be plural. Adding -들 is redundant and sounds unnatural.
Overusing -들 for inanimate objects.
Different Meaning가방에 책들과 공책들이 있어요.Better가방에 책과 공책이 있어요.While not strictly incorrect, it's much more natural to omit -들 for inanimate objects unless you need to strongly emphasize that there are multiple of each. The context usually makes it clear.
Related Patterns
- 이/가Subject Marker
The subject marker 이/가 is attached after -들 to mark a plural noun as the subject of the sentence. For example, '학생들이' (students are...).
- 은/는Topic Marker
The topic marker 은/는 is attached after -들 to mark a plural noun as the topic of the sentence. For example, '사람들은' (As for people...).
- 을/를Object Marker
The object marker 을/를 is attached after -들 to mark a plural noun as the object of the verb. For example, '고양이들을' (cats...).
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.