Choose the correct plural
20 words. Choose the correct plural form each time: -s, -'s or -en.
Test how much you already know about -s, -'s and -en — mixed together, just like in real life.
Module 3
The plural
-s · -'s · -en — which ending do you use?
0 / 1
How do you use the plural?
Dutch nouns usually take -s, -'s or -en in the plural. Which ending you use depends on the stress and the final sound of the word.
Tip: always learn the singular form together with its plural — that's the easiest way to remember the right form.
1. Use -s
You use -s when the stress falls on the first syllable. Words ending in an unstressed -el, -en or -er almost always take -s.
- tafel → tafels (table → tables)
- keuken → keukens (kitchen → kitchens)
- bakker → bakkers (baker → bakers)
- deken → dekens (blanket → blankets)
- kamer → kamers (room → rooms)
2. Use -'s
You use -'s with words ending in a long vowel (a, o, u, i or y), or with abbreviations.
- auto → auto's (car → cars)
- oma → oma's (grandma → grandmas)
- baby → baby's (baby → babies)
- taxi → taxi's (taxi → taxis)
- menu → menu's (menu → menus)
- tv → tv's (TV → TVs)
3. Use -en
You get -en in the plural when the stress falls on the last syllable, or with most one-syllable words.
- gitaar → gitaren (guitar → guitars)
- bedrijf → bedrijven (company → companies)
- boek → boeken (book → books)
- lamp → lampen (lamp → lamps)
- hond → honden (dog → dogs)
- huis → huizen (house → houses)
Exceptions to the -en rule
Watch out with a short vowel: the consonant doubles to keep the sound short. And if the word ends in -s after a long vowel or diphthong, the s becomes a z.
- kat → katten (cat → cats — short vowel)
- bom → bommen (bomb → bombs — short vowel)
- kaas → kazen (cheese → cheeses — s becomes z)
- roos → rozen (rose → roses — s becomes z)