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Plural with -er (das Kind → die Kinder)

Plural mit -er

Many neuter (and some masculine) nouns form the with -er, adding an where possible.

Structure

Nomen + -er (+ Umlaut wo möglich) → die …er

noun + -er (+ umlaut where possible) → die …er

Details

Part of Speech
Noun
Word Type
Plural formation
Register
Standard

Explanation

The -er is typical of many neuter nouns (and a few masculines). Wherever the stem vowel can take an umlaut, it does.

  • das Kind → die Kinder - children (no possible)
  • das Buch → die Bücher - books
  • das Haus → die Häuser - houses
  • der Mann → die Männer - men

Remember: a/o/u become ä/ö/ü whenever possible; the is always die. This pattern never appears on feminine nouns.

Example: Die Kinder spielen draußen. - The children are playing outside.

About Plural with -er (das Kind → die Kinder)

Many neuter (and some masculine) nouns form the with -er, adding an where possible.

Typical for many neuter nouns; a/o/u become ä/ö/ü (die Häuser, die Bücher). is 'die'.

Viele neutrale (und einige maskuline) bilden den mit -er, mit wo möglich.

Caution

Where the stem vowel can take an umlaut (a, o, u), it does: das Buch → die Bücher, das Haus → die Häuser. Article is always 'die'.

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