When you start learning Italian, you quickly notice that words change their endings depending on quantity: un libro / due libri, una pizza / due pizze… And that’s where the plural nightmare begins. How do nouns change between singular and plural? Why do some end one way and others differently?
Don’t worry—I’ll guide you with simple explanations on how to form the plural in Italian, with examples and tips to help you manage plurals smoothly and confidently.
Italian plurals: the basics
In Italian, plurals are mainly formed by changing the word ending. This depends on the gender (masculine or feminine) and the final vowel of the singular form. These are valuable clues to figure out how words will change.
Masculine nouns
First key rule: most singular masculine nouns end in -O and change to -I in the plural. The same goes for masculine nouns ending in -E, which also change to -I.
- un libro – due libri
- un ragazzo – due ragazzi
- un ristorante – due ristoranti
- un esame – due esami
Feminine nouns
Second key rule: feminine singular nouns often end in -A, and change to -E in the plural.
- una casa – due case
- una pizza – due pizze
If they end in -E, they change to -I:
- una lezione – due lezioni
- una chiave – due chiavi
Here’s a quick summary of the main plural rules.
How do adjectives change in the plural in Italian?
In Italian, adjectives must agree with the noun in gender and number, so they also change in the plural.
- Il ragazzo italiano – I ragazzi italiani
- La ragazza simpatica – Le ragazze simpatiche
Note: Not only the noun changes, the adjective changes too. Everything aligns to sound just right.
Words that don’t change in the plural: yes, there are exceptions!
Although most nouns and adjectives change, not all follow the rules. Some words remain unchanged in the plural. Here are a few examples:
Words ending in a stressed vowel:
- un caffè – due caffè
- una città – due città
Foreign words:
- un bar – due bar
- un computer – due computer
Want to learn Italian naturally and without stress?
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