{"id":7274,"date":"2022-10-09T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-10-09T18:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mydailyspanish.com\/?p=7274"},"modified":"2022-10-08T22:54:48","modified_gmt":"2022-10-09T06:54:48","slug":"singular-plural-nouns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mydailyspanish.com\/singular-plural-nouns\/","title":{"rendered":"Singular and Plural Nouns"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a1Buenos d\u00edas! Today we\u2019re looking at how to make singular nouns plural! The only background knowledge you need is that when we say a noun is \u201csingular,\u201d it means there\u2019s only one of them. When we refer to it as \u201cplural,\u201d there\u2019s more than one.  <\/p>\n

\"Spanish<\/span><\/p>\n

We\u2019ve made a list of rules to help you form all sorts of plurals, but generally it\u2019s pretty simple.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Rule #1: Change the article<\/strong><\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

The first rule is that when you make a singular noun plural, you must remember to change the article that goes with it (the article is the tiny word in front), for example la chica<\/em> becomes las chicas<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how to change the common articles, with examples:<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
el<\/i><\/td>los<\/Strong><\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
el chico <\/i>(the boy)<\/td>los chicos<\/Strong> <\/i>(the boys)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
la<\/td>las<\/Strong><\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
la chica <\/i>(the girl)<\/td>las chicas<\/Strong><\/i> (the girls)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
un<\/i><\/td>unos<\/Strong><\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
un chico<\/i> (a boy)<\/td>unos chicos<\/Strong><\/i> (some boys)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
una<\/i><\/td>unas<\/Strong><\/i><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
una chica<\/i> (a girl)<\/td>unas chicas<\/Strong><\/i> (some girls)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Rule #2: Add an -s<\/em> when it ends in a vowel<\/strong><\/h2>\n

When a Spanish noun ends in an unstressed vowel, it\u2019s a simple case of adding an -s<\/em> to the end of it. <\/p>\n

via GIPHY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t
un lobo <\/i>(one wolf)<\/td>dos lobos<\/Strong><\/i> (two wolves)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
una manzana<\/i> (one apple)<\/td>dos manzanas<\/Strong> <\/i>(two apples)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Rule #3: Add an -s<\/em> when it ends in -\u00e9<\/em> or -\u00f3<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n

We\u2019ve seen what to do with unstressed vowels, but what if the vowel at the end of the noun has an accent? Words ending in -\u00e9<\/em> or -\u00f3<\/em> also take their plurals by adding -s<\/em>, just like in Rule #2. Nice and simple.<\/p>\n

via GIPHY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t
un caf\u00e9 <\/i>(a coffee)<\/td>dos caf\u00e9s<\/Strong><\/i> (two coffees)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
el bur\u00f3 <\/i>(the desk)<\/td>los bur\u00f3s<\/Strong><\/i> (the desks)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Rule #4: Add an -es<\/em> if it ends in -\u00e1<\/em>, -\u00ed<\/em>, or -\u00fa<\/em> (exceptions apply)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If a noun ends in -\u00e1<\/em> or -\u00ed <\/em>or -\u00fa<\/em>, we usually add -es<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t
el panam\u00e1<\/i> (Panama hat)<\/td>los panam\u00e1es<\/Strong> <\/i>(Panama hats)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
el bistur\u00ed <\/i>(the scalpel)<\/td>los bistur\u00edes<\/Strong><\/i> (the scalpels)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
el tab\u00fa <\/i>(the taboo)<\/td>los tab\u00faes<\/Strong><\/i> (the taboos)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

There are exceptions to this rule. Some of these nouns (a lot of the common ones, actually) form their plurals irregularly, such as mam\u00e1<\/em>, or men\u00fa<\/em>, for which we just stick an -s<\/em> on the end.<\/p>\n

via GIPHY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t
la mam\u00e1 y el pap\u00e1 <\/i>(the mommy and the daddy)<\/td>las mam\u00e1s y los pap\u00e1s<\/Strong><\/i> (the mommies and the daddies)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
el men\u00fa <\/i>(the menu)<\/td>los men\u00fas<\/Strong> <\/i>(the menus)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Rule #5: Add an -es<\/em> when it ends in a consonant other than s<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n

The general rule for words ending in consonants is that we add -es<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t
el color<\/i> (the color)<\/td>los colores<\/Strong><\/i> (the colors)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
la ciudad <\/i>(the city)<\/td>las ciudades<\/Strong><\/i> (the cities)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
un rey <\/i>(one king)<\/td>cinco reyes<\/Strong> <\/i>(five kings)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Rule #6: If the noun ends in -s<\/em>, leave it as it is<\/strong><\/h2>\n

As long as there\u2019s no stress on the final syllable, the noun remains unchanged in the plural.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t
el jueves <\/i>(Thursday)<\/td>los jueves<\/i> (Thursdays)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
la tesis<\/i> (the thesis)<\/td>las tesis<\/i> (the theses, e.g. \u2018The students submitted their theses.\u2019)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
el cactus<\/i> (cactus)<\/td>los cactus <\/i>(cacti)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

This rule often applies to Spanish compound nouns. We\u2019re talking about words where a verb and a noun are joined together to make a bigger word, e.g. paraguas = parar<\/em> (to stop) + agua<\/em> (water)! <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t
mi paraguas<\/i> (my umbrella)<\/td>mis paraguas<\/i> (my umbrellas)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
su cumplea\u00f1os<\/i> (his birthday)<\/td>sus cumplea\u00f1os<\/i> (his birthdays)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
el limpiaparabrisas <\/i>(the windshield wiper)<\/td>los limpiaparabrisas<\/i> (the windshield wipers)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

But if the final syllable is stressed …<\/p>\n

Rule #7: Add an -es<\/em> when the noun ends in a stressed vowel + -s<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n

If the noun ends in -s<\/em> and the emphasis is on the last syllable when spoken (which will also be the case for words that only have one syllable!), then add -es<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t
el mes<\/i> (month)<\/td>los meses<\/Strong> <\/i>(months)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
el autob\u00fas*<\/i> (bus)<\/td>los autobuses<\/Strong>*<\/i> (buses)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

*See rule #8 to find out why we removed the accent.<\/p>\n

Rule #8: If the noun ends in a consonant and the last syllable has an accent, you can usually remove it<\/strong><\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

In Spanish, we have rules surrounding stress and emphasis within words. If our noun ends in a consonant, then we\u2019re most likely going to be adding -es<\/em>, which adds an extra syllable onto the end of the word. <\/p>\n

This means that we don\u2019t need the accent anymore. Don\u2019t worry, you won\u2019t mess up the stress\u2014follow the rules and the syllables sort themselves out!<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

via GIPHY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t
un autob\u00fas<\/i> (a bus)<\/td>unos autobuses<\/Strong> <\/i>(some buses)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
el franc\u00e9s <\/i>(Frenchman)<\/td>los franceses<\/Strong> <\/i>(Frenchmen)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
un reh\u00e9n <\/i>(a hostage)<\/td>ocho rehenes<\/Strong> <\/i>(eight hostages)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Rule #9: If the noun ends in -en<\/em>, do the opposite of #8!<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Sometimes making a noun plural means we actually have to add an accent, to maintain the stress when we add the new -es<\/em> syllable. This usually applies to words ending in -en<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t
el crimen<\/i> (the crime)<\/td>los cr\u00edmenes<\/Strong><\/i> (the crimes)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
una imagen<\/i> (an image)<\/td>unas im\u00e1genes<\/Strong><\/i> (some images)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Rule #10: If it\u2019s a foreign word, just add -s<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n

One of the cool things about languages is that they\u2019re always borrowing and adapting words from each other! When a non-Spanish word (or an adapted version of it) is used in Spanish, we usually just add an -s<\/em> to it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t
el chalet<\/i> (chalet)<\/td>los chalets<\/Strong><\/i> (chalets)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
un hacker <\/i>(one hacker)<\/td>dos hackers<\/Strong><\/i> (two hackers)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Rule #11: Families<\/strong><\/h2>\n

When we use a surname to talk about members of a family, we don\u2019t add -s<\/em> or -es<\/em>. (Royalty is an exception.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t
Soy Ana Smithson. <\/i>(I\u2019m Ana Smithson.)<\/td>Somos los Smithson. <\/i>(We\u2019re the Smithsons.)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Estoy enamorado de una Jones. <\/i>(I\u2019m in love with a Jones.)<\/td>Estoy enamorado de una de los Jones. <\/i>(I\u2019m in love with one of the Joneses.)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Rule #12: Some nouns are only ever plural<\/strong><\/h2>\n

So you don\u2019t need to worry about changing these, e.g. los celos<\/em> (jealousy), and las tijeras<\/em> (scissors). You can\u2019t have just one scissor\u2014you need a pair!<\/p>\n

via GIPHY<\/a><\/p>\n

Rule #13: Some nouns are only ever singular<\/strong><\/h2>\n

So you don\u2019t need to worry about making these plural, e.g. el tenis<\/em> (tennis). You can have more than one game of<\/strong> tennis, but you can\u2019t have more than one tennis. These nouns are called mass nouns. They\u2019re uncountable.<\/p>\n

via GIPHY<\/a><\/p>\n

Rule #14: Spelling changes!<\/strong><\/h2>\n

This last one is just a quick note on spelling. If the noun in the singular form ends in –z<\/em>, we\u2019ll need to change it to a -c<\/em> before we add -es<\/em>. Don\u2019t worry, change can be a good thing.<\/p>\n

via GIPHY<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t
un pez (a fish)<\/td>unos peces<\/Strong> (some fish)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
la voz (the voice)<\/td>las voces<\/Strong> (the voices)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Quiz<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Try and figure out the plural form of each of the following nouns! The parts in parentheses  give you the meaning of the singular noun in English, and then the plural that you want to get to. Don\u2019t forget to change the article!<\/p>\n

 1. un libro <\/em>(a book -> some books)<\/p>\n

Click to reveal the correct answer<\/h4>\n

a. unos libros<\/em><\/p>\n

 2. el tentempi\u00e9 <\/em>(the snack -> the snacks)<\/p>\n

Click to reveal the correct answer<\/h4>\n

a. los tentempi\u00e9s<\/em><\/p>\n

 3. una mam\u00e1 <\/em>(a mommy -> some mommies)<\/p>\n

Click to reveal the correct answer<\/h4>\n

a. unas mam\u00e1s<\/em><\/p>\n

4. el coraz\u00f3n <\/em>(the heart -> the hearts)<\/p>\n

Click to reveal the correct answer<\/h4>\n

a. los corazones<\/em><\/p>\n

5. el l\u00e1piz <\/em>(the pencil -> the pencils)<\/p>\n

Click to reveal the correct answer<\/h4>\n

a. los l\u00e1pices<\/em><\/p>\n

6. el germen <\/em>(germ -> germs)<\/p>\n

Click to reveal the correct answer<\/h4>\n

a. los g\u00e9rmenes<\/em><\/p>\n

7. una vez <\/em>(one time -> a few\/several times)<\/p>\n

Click to reveal the correct answer<\/h4>\n

a. unas veces<\/em><\/p>\n

8. un guardaespaldas <\/em>(one bodyguard -> two bodyguards)<\/p>\n

Click to reveal the correct answer<\/h4>\n

a. dos guardaespaldas<\/em><\/p>\n

9. un Hern\u00e1ndez <\/em>(a member of the Hern\u00e1ndez family -> some members of the Hern\u00e1ndez family)<\/p>\n

Click to reveal the correct answer<\/h4>\n

a. unos Hern\u00e1ndez<\/em><\/p>\n

10. la crisis <\/em>(the crisis -> the crises)<\/p>\n

Click to reveal the correct answer<\/h4>\n

a. las crisis<\/em><\/p>\n

So, there are your rules! Now you know how to turn Spanish singular nouns into plurals … which is a very useful skill to have. Otherwise, you\u2019d only ever be able to talk about one of anything (#notideal)! \u00a1Hasta la pr\u00f3xima! <\/p>\n

Meta<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If you want to talk about more than one of anything, you\u2019ll need to turn singular nouns into plurals! Read our rules for forming Spanish plurals, and try our quiz.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a1Buenos d\u00edas! Today we\u2019re looking at how to make singular nouns plural! The only background knowledge you need is that when we say a noun is \u201csingular,\u201d it means there\u2019s only one of them. When we refer to it as \u201cplural,\u201d there\u2019s more than one.   We\u2019ve made a list of rules to help you […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":7410,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","tve_updated_post":"

\u00a1Buenos d\u00edas! Today we\u2019re looking at how to make singular nouns plural! The only background knowledge you need is that when we say a noun is \u201csingular,\u201d it means there\u2019s only one of them. When we refer to it as \u201cplural,\u201d there\u2019s more than one.  <\/p><\/div>

\"Spanish<\/span><\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\tQuick Navigation<\/span>\n\t\t
Rule #1: Change the article<\/a><\/div>
Rule #2: Add an -s when it ends in a vowel<\/a><\/div>
Rule #3: Add an -s when it ends in -\u00e9 or -\u00f3<\/a><\/div>
Rule #4: Add an -es if it ends in -\u00e1, -\u00ed, or -\u00fa (exceptions apply)<\/a><\/div>
Rule #5: Add an -es when it ends in a consonant other than s<\/a><\/div>
Rule #6: If the noun ends in -s, leave it as it is<\/a><\/div>
Rule #7: Add an -es when the noun ends in a stressed vowel + -s<\/a><\/div>
Rule #8: If the noun ends in a consonant and the last syllable has an accent, you can usually remove it<\/a><\/div><\/div>
Rule #9: If the noun ends in -en, do the opposite of #8!<\/a><\/div>
Rule #10: If it\u2019s a foreign word, just add -s<\/a><\/div>
Rule #11: Families<\/a><\/div>
Rule #12: Some nouns are only ever plural anyway<\/a><\/div>
Rule #13: Some nouns are only ever singular anyway<\/a><\/div>
Rule #14: Spelling changes!<\/a><\/div>
Quiz<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>

We\u2019ve made a list of rules to help you form all sorts of plurals, but generally it\u2019s pretty simple. <\/p><\/div>

Rule #1: Change the article<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>

The first rule is that when you make a singular noun plural, you must remember to change the article that goes with it (the article is the tiny word in front), for example la chica<\/em> becomes las chicas<\/em>.<\/p>

Here\u2019s how to change the common articles, with examples:<\/p><\/div>

___TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW__<p>[table id=281 \/]<\/p>__TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW___<\/div><\/div>

Rule #2: Add an -s<\/em> when it ends in a vowel<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>

When a Spanish noun ends in an unstressed vowel, it\u2019s a simple case of adding an -s<\/em> to the end of it. <\/p><\/div>

___TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW__<div style=\"width:100%;height:0;padding-bottom:77%;position:relative;\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/giphy.com\/embed\/3o6Zt9fevSRznTSHtK\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" style=\"position:absolute\" frameBorder=\"0\" class=\"giphy-embed\" allowFullScreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/giphy.com\/gifs\/snl-saturday-night-live-1980s-stevie-wonder-3o6Zt9fevSRznTSHtK\">via GIPHY<\/a><\/p>\n__TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW___<\/div><\/div>
___TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW__<p>[table id=282 \/]<\/p>\n__TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW___<\/div><\/div>

Rule #3: Add an -s<\/em> when it ends in -\u00e9<\/em> or -\u00f3<\/em><\/strong><\/h2><\/div>

We\u2019ve seen what to do with unstressed vowels, but what if the vowel at the end of the noun has an accent? Words ending in -\u00e9<\/em> or -\u00f3<\/em> also take their plurals by adding -s<\/em>, just like in Rule #2. Nice and simple.<\/p><\/div>

___TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW__<div style=\"width:100%;height:0;padding-bottom:64%;position:relative;\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/giphy.com\/embed\/zcCGBRQshGdt6\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" style=\"position:absolute\" frameBorder=\"0\" class=\"giphy-embed\" allowFullScreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/giphy.com\/gifs\/reaction-office-space-that-was-easy-zcCGBRQshGdt6\">via GIPHY<\/a><\/p>\n__TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW___<\/div><\/div>
___TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW__<p>[table id=283 \/]<\/p>__TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW___<\/div><\/div>

Rule #4: Add an -es<\/em> if it ends in -\u00e1<\/em>, -\u00ed<\/em>, or -\u00fa<\/em> (exceptions apply)<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>

If a noun ends in -\u00e1<\/em> or -\u00ed <\/em>or -\u00fa<\/em>, we usually add -es<\/em>. <\/p><\/div>

___TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW__<p>[table id=284 \/]<\/p>__TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW___<\/div><\/div>

There are exceptions to this rule. Some of these nouns (a lot of the common ones, actually) form their plurals irregularly, such as mam\u00e1<\/em>, or men\u00fa<\/em>, for which we just stick an -s<\/em> on the end.<\/p><\/div>

___TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW__<div style=\"width:100%;height:0;padding-bottom:56%;position:relative;\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/giphy.com\/embed\/3oEhn5FxZaWuFtyZgc\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" style=\"position:absolute\" frameBorder=\"0\" class=\"giphy-embed\" allowFullScreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/giphy.com\/gifs\/warren-beatty-faye-dunaway-bonnie-and-clyde-3oEhn5FxZaWuFtyZgc\">via GIPHY<\/a><\/p>\n__TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW___<\/div><\/div>
___TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW__<p>[table id=285 \/]<\/p>\n__TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW___<\/div><\/div>

Rule #5: Add an -es<\/em> when it ends in a consonant other than s<\/em><\/strong><\/h2><\/div>

The general rule for words ending in consonants is that we add -es<\/em>.<\/p><\/div>

___TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW__<p>[table id=286 \/]<\/p>\n__TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW___<\/div><\/div>
__CONFIG_leads_shortcode__{\"id\":\"2254\"}__CONFIG_leads_shortcode__<\/div><\/div>

Rule #6: If the noun ends in -s<\/em>, leave it as it is<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>

As long as there\u2019s no stress on the final syllable, the noun remains unchanged in the plural.<\/p><\/div>

___TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW__<p>[table id=287 \/]<\/p>\n__TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW___<\/div><\/div>

This rule often applies to Spanish compound nouns. We\u2019re talking about words where a verb and a noun are joined together to make a bigger word, e.g. paraguas = parar<\/em> (to stop) + agua<\/em> (water)! \n<\/p><\/div>

___TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW__<p>[table id=288 \/]<\/p>\n__TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW___<\/div><\/div>

But if the final syllable is stressed ...<\/p><\/div>

Rule #7: Add an -es<\/em> when the noun ends in a stressed vowel + -s<\/em><\/strong><\/h2><\/div>

If the noun ends in -s<\/em> and the emphasis is on the last syllable when spoken (which will also be the case for words that only have one syllable!), then add -es<\/em>.<\/p><\/div>

___TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW__<p>[table id=289 \/]<\/p>\n__TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW___<\/div><\/div>

*See rule #8 to find out why we removed the accent.<\/p><\/div>

Rule #8: If the noun ends in a consonant and the last syllable has an accent, you can usually remove it<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>

In Spanish, we have rules surrounding stress and emphasis within words. If our noun ends in a consonant, then we\u2019re most likely going to be adding -es<\/em>, which adds an extra syllable onto the end of the word. <\/p>

This means that we don\u2019t need the accent anymore. Don\u2019t worry, you won\u2019t mess up the stress\u2014follow the rules and the syllables sort themselves out!<\/p><\/div>

___TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW__<div style=\"width:100%;height:0;padding-bottom:100%;position:relative;\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/giphy.com\/embed\/l3q2vcUWgZOmE5ReM\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" style=\"position:absolute\" frameBorder=\"0\" class=\"giphy-embed\" allowFullScreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/giphy.com\/gifs\/cat-animation-stress-l3q2vcUWgZOmE5ReM\">via GIPHY<\/a><\/p>\n__TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW___<\/div><\/div>
___TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW__<p>[table id=290 \/]<\/p>\n__TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW___<\/div><\/div>

Rule #9: If the noun ends in -en<\/em>, do the opposite of #8!<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>

Sometimes making a noun plural means we actually have to add an accent, to maintain the stress when we add the new -es<\/em> syllable. This usually applies to words ending in -en<\/em>.<\/p><\/div>

___TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW__<p>[table id=291 \/]<\/p>\n__TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW___<\/div><\/div>

Rule #10: If it\u2019s a foreign word, just add -s<\/em><\/strong><\/h2><\/div>

One of the cool things about languages is that they\u2019re always borrowing and adapting words from each other! When a non-Spanish word (or an adapted version of it) is used in Spanish, we usually just add an -s<\/em> to it!<\/p><\/div>

___TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW__<p>[table id=292 \/]<\/p>\n__TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW___<\/div><\/div>

Rule #11: Families<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>

When we use a surname to talk about members of a family, we don\u2019t add -s<\/em> or -es<\/em>. (Royalty is an exception.)<\/p><\/div>

___TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW__<p>[table id=293 \/]<\/p>\n__TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW___<\/div><\/div>

Rule #12: Some nouns are only ever plural<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>

So you don\u2019t need to worry about changing these, e.g. los celos<\/em> (jealousy), and las tijeras<\/em> (scissors). You can\u2019t have just one scissor\u2014you need a pair!<\/p><\/div>

___TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW__<div style=\"width:100%;height:0;padding-bottom:100%;position:relative;\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/giphy.com\/embed\/XeeUDlRgrsSA8kUsvI\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" style=\"position:absolute\" frameBorder=\"0\" class=\"giphy-embed\" allowFullScreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/giphy.com\/gifs\/hair-cutting-buildyourown-XeeUDlRgrsSA8kUsvI\">via GIPHY<\/a><\/p>\n__TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW___<\/div><\/div>

Rule #13: Some nouns are only ever singular<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>

So you don\u2019t need to worry about making these plural, e.g. el tenis<\/em> (tennis). You can have more than one game of<\/strong> tennis, but you can\u2019t have more than one tennis. These nouns are called mass nouns. They\u2019re uncountable.<\/p><\/div>

___TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW__<div style=\"width:100%;height:0;padding-bottom:56%;position:relative;\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/giphy.com\/embed\/l378nQAeexVYyjqs8\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" style=\"position:absolute\" frameBorder=\"0\" class=\"giphy-embed\" allowFullScreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/giphy.com\/gifs\/l378nQAeexVYyjqs8\">via GIPHY<\/a><\/p>\n__TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW___<\/div><\/div>

Rule #14: Spelling changes!<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>

This last one is just a quick note on spelling. If the noun in the singular form ends in -z<\/em>, we\u2019ll need to change it to a -c<\/em> before we add -es<\/em>. Don\u2019t worry, change can be a good thing.<\/p><\/div>

___TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW__<div style=\"width:100%;height:0;padding-bottom:42%;position:relative;\"><iframe src=\"https:\/\/giphy.com\/embed\/2sfgo6v1ihOGKVptoB\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" style=\"position:absolute\" frameBorder=\"0\" class=\"giphy-embed\" allowFullScreen><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/giphy.com\/gifs\/disney-trailer-toy-story-4-2sfgo6v1ihOGKVptoB\">via GIPHY<\/a><\/p>\n__TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW___<\/div><\/div>
___TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW__<p>[table id=294 \/]<\/p>\n__TVE_SHORTCODE_RAW___<\/div><\/div>

Quiz<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>

Try and figure out the plural form of each of the following nouns! The parts in parentheses  give you the meaning of the singular noun in English, and then the plural that you want to get to. Don\u2019t forget to change the article!<\/p><\/div>

 1. un libro <\/em>(a book -> some books)<\/p><\/div>

\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/path>\n\t\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t

Click to reveal the correct answer<\/h4>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t

a. unos libros<\/em><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>

 2. el tentempi\u00e9 <\/em>(the snack -> the snacks)<\/p><\/div>

\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/path>\n\t\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t

Click to reveal the correct answer<\/h4>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t

a. los tentempi\u00e9s<\/em><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>

 3. una mam\u00e1 <\/em>(a mommy -> some mommies)<\/p><\/div>

\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/path>\n\t\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t

Click to reveal the correct answer<\/h4>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t

a. unas mam\u00e1s<\/em><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>

4. el coraz\u00f3n <\/em>(the heart -> the hearts)<\/p><\/div>

\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/path>\n\t\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t

Click to reveal the correct answer<\/h4>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t

a. los corazones<\/em><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>

5. el l\u00e1piz <\/em>(the pencil -> the pencils)<\/p><\/div>

\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/path>\n\t\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t

Click to reveal the correct answer<\/h4>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t

a. los l\u00e1pices<\/em><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>

6. el germen <\/em>(germ -> germs)<\/p><\/div>

\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/path>\n\t\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t

Click to reveal the correct answer<\/h4>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t

a. los g\u00e9rmenes<\/em><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>

7. una vez <\/em>(one time -> a few\/several times)<\/p><\/div>

\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/path>\n\t\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t

Click to reveal the correct answer<\/h4>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t

a. unas veces<\/em><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>

8. un guardaespaldas <\/em>(one bodyguard -> two bodyguards)<\/p><\/div>

\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/path>\n\t\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t

Click to reveal the correct answer<\/h4>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t

a. dos guardaespaldas<\/em><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>

9. un Hern\u00e1ndez <\/em>(a member of the Hern\u00e1ndez family -> some members of the Hern\u00e1ndez family)<\/p><\/div>

\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/path>\n\t\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t

Click to reveal the correct answer<\/h4>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t

a. unos Hern\u00e1ndez<\/em><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>

10. la crisis <\/em>(the crisis -> the crises)<\/p><\/div>

\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/path>\n\t\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t\t\t

Click to reveal the correct answer<\/h4>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t

a. las crisis<\/em><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>

So, there are your rules! Now you know how to turn Spanish singular nouns into plurals ... which is a very useful skill to have. Otherwise, you\u2019d only ever be able to talk about one of anything (#notideal)! \u00a1Hasta la pr\u00f3xima! <\/p><\/div>

Meta<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>

If you want to talk about more than one of anything, you\u2019ll need to turn singular nouns into plurals! Read our rules for forming Spanish plurals, and try our quiz.\n<\/p><\/div>

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