German Plural Rules: The 5 Patterns Every Learner Must Know

German plurals are famously inconsistent — or so it seems. The truth is that five main patterns cover most German nouns, and these patterns correlate with gender and word endings in ways you can learn.

Pattern 1: Add -e (Mostly Masculine/Neuter)

Many one-syllable masculine and neuter nouns add -e: der Hund → die Hunde (dogs), das Jahr → die Jahre (years), der Tag → die Tage (days). Sometimes with an umlaut: der Fuß → die Füße (feet).

Pattern 2: Add -er (Mostly Neuter)

Neuter nouns often add -er, usually with umlaut: das Kind → die Kinder (children), das Buch → die Bücher (books), das Haus → die Häuser (houses).

Pattern 3: Add -en/-n (Mostly Feminine)

Most feminine nouns (about 90%) add -(e)n: die Frau → die Frauen (women), die Schule → die Schulen (schools), die Tür → die Türen (doors). This is the most reliable pattern.

Pattern 4: Add -s (Loanwords)

Words borrowed from English or French add -s: das Auto → die Autos, das Hotel → die Hotels, das Café → die Cafés.

Pattern 5: No Change (Masculine/Neuter in -er, -en, -el)

Many masculine and neuter nouns ending in -er, -en, or -el do not change in plural: der Lehrer → die Lehrer (teachers), das Zimmer → die Zimmer (rooms).