How to Form Plural Nouns in Romanian: A Guide for English Speakers

Understanding Romanian Nouns and Their Genders

In Romanian, nouns have genders: masculine, feminine, or neuter. This gender affects how nouns form their plural. Unlike English, where plural is usually formed by adding -s or -es, Romanian plurals vary depending on the noun's gender and ending.

Forming Plurals of Masculine Nouns

Masculine nouns typically form their plural by changing the ending -u or -l to -i. For example, băiat (boy) becomes băieți (boys). Some masculine nouns ending in a consonant add -i as well.

Examples of masculine plural forms:

• băiat → băieți (boy → boys)
• frate → frați (brother → brothers)
• copil → copii (child → children)

Forming Plurals of Feminine Nouns

Feminine nouns usually form their plural by changing the ending -ă to -e or by adding -le if the noun ends in a consonant. For example, fată (girl) becomes fete (girls). Some feminine nouns ending in -e change to -i in plural.

Examples of feminine plural forms:

• fată → fete (girl → girls)
• floare → flori (flower → flowers)
• casă → case (house → houses)

Neuter Nouns: A Special Case

Neuter nouns behave like masculine nouns in the singular and like feminine nouns in the plural. This means their plural endings follow the feminine plural rules. For example, un birou (a desk) becomes două birouri (two desks).

Examples of neuter plural forms:

• birou → birouri (desk → desks)
• hotel → hoteluri (hotel → hotels)
• ou → ouă (egg → eggs)

Common Plural Endings in Romanian

Here is a summary of common plural endings based on noun gender and singular endings:

• Masculine nouns ending in -u or -l: change to -i (e.g., frate → frați)
• Feminine nouns ending in -ă: change to -e (e.g., casă → case)
• Neuter nouns: plural like feminine nouns (e.g., birou → birouri)
• Nouns ending in a consonant often add -i or -e depending on gender

Irregular Plural Forms and Exceptions

Some Romanian nouns have irregular plural forms that do not follow the standard rules. For example, om (man) becomes oameni (men), and mână (hand) becomes mâini (hands). These must be memorized.

Examples of irregular plurals:

• om → oameni (man → men)
• mână → mâini (hand → hands)
• frate → frați (brother → brothers)

Tips for English Speakers Learning Romanian Plurals

Since Romanian plurals depend on gender and noun endings, it is helpful to learn the gender of nouns along with their singular form. Practice by grouping nouns by gender and memorizing their plural forms. Listening and reading Romanian will also help you internalize plural patterns.

Remember, unlike English, Romanian plurals can change the word ending significantly, so always check a dictionary if unsure.