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

Understanding Plural Forms of Ukrainian Nouns

In Ukrainian, forming the plural of nouns is essential for everyday communication. Unlike English, Ukrainian pluralization depends on the noun's gender and ending. This guide will help English speakers understand how to correctly form plural nouns in Ukrainian.

Gender and Its Role in Plural Formation

Ukrainian nouns are categorized into three genders: masculine, feminine, and neuter. The gender affects how the plural form is created. Recognizing the gender of a noun is the first step in forming its plural.

Common Plural Endings for Ukrainian Nouns

Here are the typical plural endings based on gender and noun endings in the singular form:

• Masculine nouns often add -и or -і in plural.
• Feminine nouns usually change -а to -и or -і.
• Neuter nouns typically change -о or -е to -а.

Examples of Plural Forms by Gender

• Masculine: стіл (table) → столи (tables)
• Feminine: книга (book) → книги (books)
• Neuter: вікно (window) → вікна (windows)

Special Cases and Exceptions

Some nouns have irregular plural forms or change their stem when pluralized. For example, masculine nouns ending in a soft sign (-ь) often take the plural ending -і.

• Masculine soft sign: день (day) → дні (days)
• Feminine soft sign: ніч (night) → ночі (nights)

Pronunciation Tips for Plural Endings

The plural endings -и and -і are pronounced differently. /ɪ/ for -и and /i/ for -і. Paying attention to these subtle differences will improve your Ukrainian pronunciation.