In Spanish the number of nouns changes, just like the gender.
Today in our blog we talk about the formation of number of nouns. It is one of the main topics for all who want to learn Spanish, so let’s explain it to the continuation.
In Spanish the nouns, apart from belonging to the masculine or feminine gender, have number: singular or plural. The singular form is the standard one and it is the one that appears in the dictionary. On the other hand, in the plural form the nouns end in –s or –es.
Formation of the plural
The plural form of nouns is formed on the basis of its singular form. Thus, when a noun in its singular form ends in a vowel, the plural is formed by adding at the end –s.
Coche- coches (car- cars)
Menú – menús (Menu – menus)
In the case that the singular form of a noun ends in a consonant, the plural form is formed by adding at the end –es.
Ratón – ratones (mouse mice)
Tambor – tambores (drum – drums)
País- países (country countries)
Attention!
However, in this general rule there are some moments that we have to take into account. For example, the words completed and accented in – í and –ú, the plural form can also be formed with –es.
Israelí – israelíes (Israelian – Israelians
Tabú – tabúes (taboo – taboos)
Also, the formation of the plural of nouns that in singular end in – y depends on whether they are words of foreign or Spanish origin. In this way, in words of foreign origin the –y it changes to –i and the plural form is formed with –s. In contrast, in Spanish words, the plural is made with –es.
Jersey – jerséis (jersey-jerseys)
Penalti – penaltis (penalti-penalties)
Rey – reyes (King-kings)
Particular uses
The non-countable nouns, such as matter, ideas, something abstract, have use of the singular and plural forms a little differently. Thus, the singular is used to talk about matter in general or a certain quantity. Otherwise, the plural is used to talk about various types or units.
A Tamara le gusta tomar vino = Tamara likes to drink wine.
Me gusta tomar una copa de vino durante la comida = I like to have a glass of wine during the meal.
Si me tomo 4 vinos, me encuentro mal = If I drink 4 wines, I feel bad.
However, there are nouns that have the same form in singular and plural. Almost always are the compound words:
El/los viernes, rascacielos, microondas (Friday, skyscraper, microwave).
La/las crisis, tesis, dosis (crisis, thesis, dose)
Nouns with unique form
Some nouns in their singular form refer to several elements:
La familia, la gente, la policía (the family, the people, the pólice)
And others, however, are often used in the plural form:
Los vaqueros, las tejeras, las gafas (the jeans, the tejeras, the glasses)
We hope this post will help you with your Spanish learning and if you have more doubts, remember that we are waiting for you at our Spanish school en Valencia El Rincón del Tándem.
Until the next blog!
