Pluralization in Spanish
To make a noun plural in Spanish, follow these simple rules:
If the noun ends in a vowel, add -s to the end.
Examples:
If the noun ends in a consonant, add -es to the end.
Examples:
Of course, there are a few exceptions you'll come upon from time to time:
If the noun ends in an accented -á, -í, -ó or -ú, add -es to the end. (Note: this never applies to an accented -é)
Examples:
(Note: el papá, la mamá, el sofá and el dominó are major exceptions to this rule)
If the noun ends in a z, remove the z and add -ces to the end.
Examples:
If adding -es to a word would change which syllable gets the stress, add or remove an accent as necessary (see our lesson on accents for more information on accents and stressed syllables).
Examples:
Be careful with nouns followed by a prepositional phrase, such as la película de amor or el jugo de naranja. In these cases, just make the first noun plural - the second noun is just modifying, or giving more information, about the first.
Examples:
Not sure why un and una can both be translated as "one" in the examples above? Check out our lesson on indefinite articles.
If the noun ends in a vowel, add -s to the end.
Examples:
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| Un deporte (one sport) | Dos deportes (two sports) |
| Un videojuego (one videogame) | Dos videojuegos (two videogames) |
| Una pizza (one pizza) | Dos pizzas (two pizzas) |
| Un burrito (one burrito) | Dos burritos (two burrito) |
| Un sofá (one sofa) | Dos sofás (two sofas) |
Examples:
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| Un animal (one animal) | Dos animales (two animals) |
| Un árbol (one tree) | Dos árboles (two trees) |
| Un professor (one teacher) | Dos professores (two teachers) |
| Una ciudad (one city) | Dos ciudades (two cities) |
| Un hotel (a hotel) | Dos hoteles (two hotels |
If the noun ends in an accented -á, -í, -ó or -ú, add -es to the end. (Note: this never applies to an accented -é)
Examples:
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| Un rubí (one ruby) | Dos rubíes (two rubies) |
| Un hindú (one Hindu) | Dos hindúes (two Hindus) |
(Note: el papá, la mamá, el sofá and el dominó are major exceptions to this rule)
If the noun ends in a z, remove the z and add -ces to the end.
Examples:
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| Un lápiz (one pencil) | Dos lápices (two pencils) |
| Una vez (one time) | Dos veces (two times) |
| Un juez (a judge) | Dos jueces (two judges) |
If adding -es to a word would change which syllable gets the stress, add or remove an accent as necessary (see our lesson on accents for more information on accents and stressed syllables).
Examples:
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| Una canción (one song) | Dos canciones (two songs) |
| Un inglés (one Englishman) | Dos ingleses (two Englishmen) |
Be careful with nouns followed by a prepositional phrase, such as la película de amor or el jugo de naranja. In these cases, just make the first noun plural - the second noun is just modifying, or giving more information, about the first.
Examples:
| Singular | Plural |
|---|---|
| Una película de terror (one horror movie) | Dos película de terror (two horror movies) |
| Un libro de misterio (one mystery novel) | Dos libros de misterio (two mystery novels) |
Not sure why un and una can both be translated as "one" in the examples above? Check out our lesson on indefinite articles.
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