As a follow up to the worksheet on plural endings, we thought we would give a brief explanation of the definite plural. We already know how to form the indefinite plural after a rousing lesson back in November: Swedish Plural Endings.  So now instead of just being able to say, “chairs,” we’ll be able to use the definite plural and say “the chairs.”

The definite form is actually a little bit easier, assuming of course that we all know how to form the indefinite plural.  There are three different plural endings to choose from in the definite form. They are as follows:
-na
-en
-a

Now we just need to know when and where to use those endings.  With three choices, we have three general rules that can help us.

The first is our –na rule.  This rule is going to cover just about all of our “en” words. En stol, en tavla, en människa. If the indefinite plural ends in –r, we just add –na.  For example, “en klocka” becomes “klockor” in the indefinite plural.  So to make that a definite plural? Just add –na. “Klockorna.”  A couple more examples:

-En pojke ——–> pojkar ——–> pojkarna
-En telefon ——–> telefoner ——–> telefonerna

Our next two rules will involve “ett” words.  Ett barn, ett thus, ett äpple.

The first ending we have to choose from is –en.  If the noun does not have an ending in the indefinite plural form, we need to add an –en to create the definite plural.  For example, “ett barn” becomes “barn” in the indefinite plural.  In the definite plural we just add –en to the end to get “barnen.”  And two extra examples:

-Ett jobb ——–> jobb ——–> jobben
-Ett år ——–> år ——–> åren

And finally, the last ending to choose from is just an –a. If the noun ends in an –n, add an –a at the end.  So, “ett äpple” becomes äpplen in the indefinite plural.  In the definite plural we add –a, and it becomes “äpplena,” or, the apples.  Two more examples to demonstrate:

-Ett yrke ——–> yrken ——–> yrkena
-Ett frimärke ——–> frimärken ——–> frimärkena

If you’re just joining the plural craze, be sure to check out our plural worksheet here and our plural worksheet answers here.  Good luck everyone.