The plural takes many forms in French. It's very important to know them because the pronunciation can change.
Regular Plurals :
Most nouns are made plural when you add "s" to the singular form. "Les" is the definite article accompanying all plural nouns. *Pronunciation tip: there's a liaison between "les" and a word beginning with a vowel.
Masculine
English
Singular
Plural
Boy
Le garçon
Les garçons
Book
Le livre
Les livres
Friend
L'ami
Les amis
Feminine
English
Singular
Plural
Girl
La fille
Les filles
Table
La table
Les tables
Friend
L'amie
Les amies
Nouns ending in s, x, or z :
These nouns are alike in both the singular and plural forms. The only difference is that the article (le, la, les) changes.
English
Singular
Plural
Wood
Le bois
Les bois
Price
Le prix
Les prix
Nose
Le nez
Les nez
Nouns ending in au, eau, eu, or oeu
For these nouns, add "x" to form the plural. But there are exceptions to the rule like the word tire : le pneu --> les pneus.
English
Singular
Plural
Jewel
Le joyau
Les joyaux
Camel
Le chameau
Les chameaux
Fire
Le feu
Les feux
Wish
Le vœu
Les vœux
Nouns ending in ou :
They adds "s" to the plural. But 7 words escape to the rule, they add "x" : Bijou(jewel), caillou(stone), chou(cabbage), genou(knee), hibou(owl), joujou(toy), pou(louse).
English
Singular
Plural
Hole
Le trou
Les trous
Nail
Le clou
Les clous
BUT (the 7 words)
Stone
Le caillou
Les cailloux...
Nouns ending in -al :
Many nouns ending in "al" in the singular change "al"to "aux" to form the plural. Of course, there are exceptions...
English
Singular
Plural
Horse
Le chaval
Les chevaux
Newspaper
Le journal
Les journaux
Festival
Le festival
Les festivals
Nouns ending in ail :
Many nouns ending in "ail" add "s" to form the plural. There are again exceptions...
English
Singular
Plural
Fan
L'éventail
Les éventails
Detail
Le détail
Les détails
Work
Le travail
Les travaux
Irregular Plurals :
English
Singular
Plural
Mr.
Le monsieur
Les messieurs
Mrs.
madame
mesdames
Sky
Le ciel
Les cieux
Note : Family names do not add "s" to the plural !!