Plural Forms — English Nouns Change, Chinese Don't
Adding -s/-es to nouns is simple in theory, complex in practice
Category: Nouns
The Rule
English countable nouns must be marked as plural when referring to more than one: cats, boxes, children, mice. Chinese nouns never change form — 猫 means 'cat' or 'cats'.
Why This Matters
Chinese uses 们 for pronoun plurals (我们=we) but nouns stay unchanged (三只猫 = three cat, not cats). English demands the -s: 'three cats'. Chinese speakers routinely drop plural markers, especially after numbers where they feel redundant.
Examples
• I have two brothers. — "我有两个兄弟。" [After numbers, English STILL needs plural -s] • These books are heavy. — "这些书很重。" ['These' signals plural; 'books' must also be plural] • Children are playing outside. — "孩子们在外面玩。" [Irregular plural: child → children (not childs)]
Common Mistakes
❌ I have two brother. ✅ I have two brothers. → Even with a number indicating plural, the noun itself must have -s. ❌ There are many informations. ✅ There is a lot of information. → 'Information' is uncountable — no plural form exists.
Quick Tip
Remember: in English, if there's more than one, add -s (or irregular form). 一本书 = one book. 三本书 = three books (not three book).
Remember: in English, if there's more than one, add -s (or irregular form). 一本书 = one book. 三本书 = three books (not three book).
Examples
Common Mistakes
Incorrect: I have two brother. → Correct: I have two brothers.. Even with a number indicating plural, the noun itself must have -s.
Incorrect: There are many informations. → Correct: There is a lot of information.. 'Information' is uncountable — no plural form exists.
Quiz
Which is correct?