Plural endings at a glance
1 · Many -al nouns → -aux
Replace the ending. Keep the accent in hôpital → hôpitaux.
| un journal → des journaux | newspaper(s) |
| un animal → des animaux | animal(s) |
| un cheval → des chevaux | horse(s) |
Les journaux parlent des animaux du parc.The newspapers report on the animals in the park.
2 · The -al exceptions take -s
Three useful exceptions are bal, carnaval and festival.
Ces festivals ont lieu en été.These festivals take place in summer.
La ville organise deux bals.The town is organising two dances.
3 · -eau, -au and -eu: watch the ending
-Eau takes x: cadeaux, bateaux. Many -au and -eu nouns also take x: noyaux, jeux. Learn pneu → pneus as an exception.
Les enfants ouvrent leurs cadeaux.The children are opening their presents.
4 · Most -ou nouns take -s; seven take -x
The seven are bijoux, cailloux, choux, genoux, hiboux, joujoux, poux. Compare clou → clous and trou → trous.
Il ramasse des cailloux.He is picking up pebbles.
5 · Learn these as whole pairs
Un œil → des yeux. Also compare un travail → des travaux with un détail → des détails: -ail and -al are different endings.
Elle a les yeux bleus.She has blue eyes.