Ik heb twee boeken.
English: I have two books.
- Language
- Dutch
- Level
- A1
- Unit
- Zelfstandige naamwoorden en lidwoorden
- Practice types
- 0
What this grammar point covers
In Dutch, 'meervoud' means plural. It is how you talk about more than one person, animal, or thing.
When to use it
Use the plural form in Dutch when you are talking about two or more people, animals, or objects.
Key forms
- Most nouns add -en: boek → boeken
- Some nouns add -s: auto → auto's
- Spelling changes may happen: glas → glazen
Examples
De katten slapen.
English: The cats are sleeping.
Wij eten appels.
English: We eat apples.
De huizen zijn groot.
English: The houses are big.
Tips
- Most Dutch nouns form the plural with -en, but some need -s.
- Watch for changes in spelling, like doubling vowels or consonants.
- Some words have irregular plurals, so check a dictionary if you are unsure.
Exceptions and edge cases
- Some nouns have irregular plurals, like 'kind' → 'kinderen'.
- Words ending in -ie, -el, -em, -en, -er, -aar often add -s.
- Some words change vowels in the plural (man → mannen).