-ler/-lar

Plural Suffix

Level 1

Turkish uses -ler or -lar to indicate more than one of something. The choice depends on the last vowel of the word.

How It Works

The plural suffix is the standard way to talk about multiple items. However, Turkish grammar has a few unique rules to become proficient in:

  • General Subjects vs. Generic Objects: Use the plural for general subjects (e.g., Kediler hayvandır - 'Cats are animals'). However, for generic or indefinite objects (e.g., 'I want a book'), use the singular. Specificity in objects is usually marked by the Accusative Case.
  • Numbers and Quantifiers: You do not use the plural suffix if a number is present (see Numbers Take a Singular Noun). However, some quantifiers like bazı (some) and bütün (all) are exceptions and are used with the plural.
  • Proper Nouns: Unlike other suffixes, the plural suffix is never separated from a proper noun by an apostrophe (e.g., Ayşeler, not Ayşe'ler). It often means 'the person and their family'.
  • Loanword Exceptions: A few words borrowed from other languages (like saat or hayal) use -ler even though they have back vowels.

Examples (6)

  1. Kitaplar masada.

    The books are on the table.

    Word by Word: Book-s table-on.

    'Kitap' ends in 'a' (a back vowel), so it takes '-lar'.

  2. Kediler hayvandır.

    Cats are animals.

    Word by Word: Cat-s animal-is.

    In Turkish, the plural suffix is used for general subjects when talking about a category.

  3. İki köpek bahçede.

    Two dogs are in the garden.

    Word by Word: Two dog garden-in.

    Notice that 'köpek' remains singular because the number 'iki' (two) is used.

  4. Bazı kitaplar çok eski.

    Some books are very old.

    Word by Word: Some book-s very old.

    Unlike numbers, the quantifier 'bazı' (some) is often used with the plural suffix.

  5. Ayşeler yarın geliyor.

    Ayşe and her family are coming tomorrow.

    Word by Word: Ayşe-s tomorrow coming.

    The plural suffix is attached directly to proper names without an apostrophe to mean 'and family' or 'and friends'.

  6. Saatler çok pahalı.

    The clocks are very expensive.

    Word by Word: Clock-s very expensive.

    'Saat' is a loanword exception; it takes '-ler' despite the 'a' vowel.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the plural suffix after a number.

    Beş elmalar
    Beş elma

    In Turkish, if you specify the quantity with a number, the noun must stay in the singular form.

  • Ignoring vowel harmony.

    Evlar
    Evler

    'Ev' contains a front vowel (e), so it must take the front-vowel suffix '-ler'.

  • Pluralizing non-human subjects on the verb.

    Kuşlar uçuyorlar.
    Kuşlar uçuyor.

    If the subject is a non-human plural (like animals or objects), the verb usually stays singular. A plural verb is possible, but it sounds unusual, so the second sentence is the natural one.

How It Connects

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-ler/-larLevel 1Plural Suffix

Learn This First

To use the plural suffix correctly, you must understand Two-Way Vowel Harmony (Büyük Ünlü Uyumu), as this determines whether you append '-ler' or '-lar' to a noun.

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Words in This Pattern

-ler