How to Say "Plurals" in Japanese

複数形

fukusūkei

The English phrase "plurals" is translated into Japanese as 複数形 (fukusūkei).

複数形 is a grammatical term used to refer to the form of a word that indicates more than one of something.

What does it mean word for word?

The term is composed of 複数 (fukusū), meaning 'multiple/plural' and 形 (kei), meaning 'form'.

The opposite of 複数形 is 単数形, which means 'singular form'.

fukusūkei

The term 複数形 is primarily used in academic contexts, such as when Japanese students study the grammar of foreign languages like English or French.
In Japanese, the concept of a 'plural' is often handled by the word tachi (たち) attached to people. However, adding tachi to a person's name can sometimes sound patronizing or overly condescending depending on the social hierarchy.
Because nouns lack a 複数形, Japanese relies on 'counters' (josūshi) to specify quantity. Instead of adding an 's', you must use a specific counter word for every category, such as 'mai' for flat objects or 'hon' for long cylindrical objects.

エスペラントの形容詞は「a」で終わり、複数形には「j」を加えます。
In Esperanto, adjectives end in "a", and plurals in "j".
This sentence is useful for explaining how to form the 複数形 in Esperanto.
Tatoeba #741169 by arihato, translation #10800001 by end
エスペラント語では、名詞は「o」で終わります。複数形は「j」をつけることで表されます。
In Esperanto, nouns end with "o". Plurals are formed with the addition of "j".
This sentence is also useful for explaining the use of the 複数形 in Esperanto.
Tatoeba #1035160 by bunbuku, translation #907240 by Zifre
英語の名詞には複数形があります。
Eigo no meishi ni wa fukusuukei ga arimasu.
English nouns have plurals.

Two students are studying English grammar together in a library.

蓮 Ren

この単語の複数形は、どう書くの？
Kono tango no fukusuukei wa, dou kaku no?
How do you write the plural of this word?
陽葵 Himari

ええと、末尾に「s」をつけるんだよ。
Eeto, bimatsu ni 'esu' o tsukeru n da yo.
Um, you add an 's' to the end.
蓮 Ren

なるほど、複数形は簡単だね。
Naruhodo, fukusuukei wa kantan da ne.
I see, plurals are easy.
陽葵 Himari

蓮くん、調子がいいね！
Ren-kun, choushi ga ii ne!
Ren, you're on a roll!

Sources

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