Singular and Plural

Foundations

Look at the noun together with numbers, adjectives and the verb. A single spelling does not always tell you whether one or several things are meant.

How It Works

جوتا becomes جوتے for shoes in the direct plural. کتاب becomes کتابیں for books. The endings differ because the words follow different patterns.

Some direct plurals keep the same spelling: گھر can name a house or houses. In تین گھر, the number makes the intended quantity clear.

A postposition may require an oblique plural. Compare کتابیں with کتابوں میں: both refer to books, but the second form belongs before میں.

Some words also retain borrowed or formal plural forms. A dictionary may list those separately. Do not replace every plural with one regular ending or assume that two listed plurals have identical uses.

Examples (5)

  1. ایک جوتا یہاں ہے۔

    One shoe is here.

    The number and singular verb agree with جوتا.

  2. دو جوتے یہاں ہیں۔

    Two shoes are here.

    The noun changes to جوتے and the verb to ہیں.

  3. یہ تین گھر خالی ہیں۔

    These three houses are empty.

    گھر keeps its spelling, while تین and ہیں show plural number.

  4. کتابیں میز پر ہیں۔

    The books are on the table.

    کتابیں is the direct plural of کتاب.

  5. ان کتابوں میں تصویریں ہیں۔

    There are pictures in these books.

    کتابوں is an oblique plural before میں.

How It Connects

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

Singular and PluralFoundations

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.

And 3 more in the full list.