When Nouns Are Plural in French But Singular in English
Did you know that French vocabulary doesn’t always follow the same rules as English vocabulary? There is, of course, the gender of nouns, which in French can be either FÉMININ or MASCULIN, but sometimes it’s also about the number that the noun represents. Learn when French Nouns are Plural in French but Singular in English.
For example, if we take a closer look at “Les cheveux“, in French, cheveux is always plural (unless we are talking about one hair). But in English, “hair” is singular. In this post, we are going to learn 26 words with different number in French and in English. Most of them are Plural in French but Singular in English. Don’t forget to grab your free PDF at the bottom of the page.
List of Nouns With Different Number
Articles don’t always match in this list, it was not easy to match the translation since they have a different number.
Plural In French but Singular in English
1. Les cheveux (m) - Hair
Mes cheveux sont secs
My hair is dry
2. Des vacances (f) - A vacation
On a besoin de vacances
We need a vacation
3. Des progrès (m) - Some progress
Tes progrès sont incroyables
Your progress is incredible
4. Les combles (m) - The attic
Les boîtes sont dans les combles
The boxes are in the attic
5. Les céréales (f) - Cereal
Est-ce que tu veux des céréales ?
Do you want cereal?
6. Les échecs (m) - Chess
Je ne sais pas jouer aux échecs
I don’t know how to play chess
7. Les fiançailles (m) - Engagement
Toute la famille a célébré leurs fiançailles
The entire family celebrated their engagement
8. Les preuves (f) - The evidence
Les officiers n’ont pas trouvé de preuves
The police officers didn’t find evidence
9. Les meubles (m) - Furniture
Les meubles seront livrés ce matin
Furniture will be delivered this morning
10. Les ordures (f) - The garbage
Les ordures sont ramassées tous les mardis
Garbage is picked up every Tuesday
11. Les devoirs (m) - Homework
Est-ce que tu as fait tes devoirs ?
Did you do your homework?
12. Les revenus (m) - An income
Il n’a pas déclaré ses revenus l’année dernière
He didn’t declare his income last year
13. Des informations (f) - Information
Les informations que nous avons reçues étaient fausses
The information we received was wrong
14. Les connaissances (f) - Knowledge
Ses connaissances sur le sujet sont impressionnantes
His knowledge on the subject is impressive
15. Les maths (f) - Math
Je n’étais pas très douée en maths
I was not very good at math
16. Les médicaments (m) - Medicine
Est-ce que tu as pris tes médicaments ?
Did you take your medicine?
17. Les pâtes (f) - Pasta
Les pâtes sont trop cuites
The pasta is overcooked
18. Les règles (f) - Period
Mes règles sont en retard
My period is late
19. Les sciences (f) - Science
Il étudie les sciences à l’université
He is studying science in university
20. Les spaghettis (m) - Spaghetti
Il étudie les sciences à l’université
He is studying science in university
21. Les épinards (m) - Spinach
Popeye mange des épinards
Popeye eats spinach
Singular in French but Plural in English
1. Une batterie - The drums
C’est difficile de jouer de la batterie
It’s hard to play the drums
2. Un dentier - Dentures
Son dentier est cassé
His dentures are broken
3. Un feu d'artifice - Fireworks
Le feu d’artifice commencera après le coucher de soleil
Fireworks will start after sunset
4. Une pince à épiler - Tweezers
Je ne trouve pas la pince à épiler
I can’t find the tweezers
5. La vaisselle - The dishes
C’est à ton tour de faire la vaisselle
It’s your turn to do the dishes
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French Video: SINGULAR in English but PLURAL in French? // 26 different nouns
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