Number

DA4

 

There are two numbers in the German language, the singular and the plural.

The singular number refers to only one thing, while the plural to more than one things.

 

  Examples
number singular Mann Frau
plural Männer Frauen

 

 

The number of a noun can be identified

- By its form or

- by words that accompany the noun, like articles or adjectives.

 

 
form
 
words that accompany the noun
singular
Haus
Auto
 
das Mädchen
ein Wagen
guter Lehrer
plural
Häuser
Autos
 
die Mädchen
fünf Wagen
gute Lehrer

 

 

Most nouns have both a singular and a plural number. There are, however, some noun groups that form only one of the two numbers.