п'ять і більше + Genitive Plural

Numerals 5 and Above with Genitive Plural

Level 2Sounds Like p'âtʹ í bílʹše + rodovij množini

When counting 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, or any number ending in these (plus the teens 11-14), the noun must be in the Genitive Plural case.

How It Works

The construction п'ять і більше + родовий множини is a cornerstone of Ukrainian counting. It is used when the numeral phrase acts as a subject or an inanimate direct object.

1. Which numbers trigger this?

  • Simple digits: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.
  • The 'teens': 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19. Note that 11-14 are exceptions to the '1, 2, 3, 4' rule.
  • Tens and hundreds: 20, 30, 50, 100, 500, etc.
  • Compound numbers ending in 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 0 (e.g., 25, 48, 150).
  • Quantity words like багато (many) or кілька (several).

2. Case Agreement:
The noun must take the Genitive Plural form. Common endings include -ів/-їв (masculine/neuter), -ей, or a zero ending (feminine/neuter).

3. Adjectives:
If there is an adjective between the number and the noun, it also moves to the Genitive Plural (e.g., п'ять нових книг).

4. Important Restriction:
This rule only applies in the Nominative or Inanimate Accusative. If you use a preposition that requires a specific case (like 'with five friends'), both the numeral and the noun will change to that case (Instrumental: з п'ятьма друзями).

Examples (4)

  1. На столі лежать п'ять яблук.

    Five apples are lying on the table.

    Word by Word: On table lie five apples(Gen.Pl.).

    The numeral 'п'ять' (5) requires the noun 'яблуко' to be in the Genitive Plural 'яблук'.

  2. У класі є десять студентів.

    There are ten students in the class.

    Word by Word: In class is ten students(Gen.Pl.).

    The number 10 triggers the Genitive Plural for the masculine noun 'студент'.

  3. Ми чекали дванадцять годин.

    We waited for twelve hours.

    Word by Word: We waited twelve hours(Gen.Pl.).

    Even though 12 ends in 2, it is a 'teen' number (11-14), so it follows the 5+ rule and takes the Genitive Plural.

  4. Він купив двадцять шість олівців.

    He bought twenty-six pencils.

    Word by Word: He bought twenty six pencils(Gen.Pl.).

    In compound numbers, the last digit determines the case. Since 6 is in the 5+ category, we use Genitive Plural.

Common Mistakes

  • Using Genitive Singular for numbers 2, 3, and 4 (Russian influence).

    два стола
    два столи

    In Ukrainian, 2, 3, and 4 take the Nominative Plural. Only 5 and above take the Genitive Plural. Don't confuse this with Russian grammar.

  • Using Nominative Plural for the numbers 11-14.

    чотирнадцять дні
    чотирнадцять днів

    Although 11, 12, 13, and 14 end in 1-4, they are treated as part of the 5+ group and must take the Genitive Plural.

How It Connects

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

п'ять і більше + Genitive PluralLevel 2Numerals 5 and Above with Genitive Plural

Learn This First

To learn numerals 5 and above, a learner must first understand basic noun pluralization and gender, as well as the foundational concept of numeral-noun agreement established with smaller numbers.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.