Vietnamese Grammar Bank
VIETNAMESE PLURALS
In Vietnamese, forming plurals is not as straightforward as in other languages since nouns do not change form.
Instead, words like những and các are used to indicate plurality, along with context to understand whether a noun is singular or plural.
GENERAL PLURALS
To make words plurals simply add “những” or “các” next to the counter of a singular noun, then the word will become the plural:
PATTERN
Những / Các + counter + singular noun
NOTE || What is the difference between “những” and “các”?
• Những is commonly used for plural nouns when the context does not imply totality.
• Các is used when referring to the entire group or all members of a certain category.
Here is a reminder of the most common counters in Vietnamese:
| Counter | Used for |
|---|---|
| Cái | General non-living thíngs |
| Con | Animal |
| Cây | Pen/Tree/Pencil |
| Tờ | Paper/ Newspaper |
| Cuốn | Book/ Notebook |
| Bức | Letter/Picture/Photo |
| Chiếc | Car/Phone/Bike |
| Tấm | Cloth/ Photo |
| Viên | Ice/ Marble/ Meatball |
| Chai | Bottle |
| Ly | Glass |
| Lon | Can |
For example:
| vietnamese | english |
|---|---|
| Những cái bàn → Những cái bàn màu đỏ | Tables → The tables are red |
| Những con mèo → Những con mèo đang ăn những con cá | Cats → The cats are eating fishes |
| Các tấm ảnh → Các tấm ảnh cũ kỹ | Photos → The photos are old |
| Các viên đá → Các viên đá hình con cá | Ice cubes → The ice cubes are all shaped as fishes |
FOR PEOPLE
When it concerns people, counters are not used to make the words become plural.
Just simply add “những/các” to the singular noun only.
PATTERN
Những / Các + singular noun
For example:
| vietnamese | english |
|---|---|
| Những cô gái → Những cô gái đang nói chuyện | Girls → The girls are talking |
| Các ca sỹ → Các ca sỹ đang hát | Singers → The singers are singing |
Learn Vietnamese with FlexiClasses
Book online classes with the best teachers in the industry.
FAQs
How do you form plurals in Vietnamese?
Plurals in Vietnamese are often formed by adding những or các before the noun. For example, “những chiếc xe” (some cars) or “các con mèo” (all the cats).
What is the difference between những and các?
Both những and các are used to indicate plurals, but they have slightly different nuances:
• Những is commonly used for plural nouns when the context does not imply totality.
• Các is used when referring to the entire group or all members of a certain category.
Can nouns be plural without những or các?
Yes, Vietnamese nouns can often be plural based on context alone, without needing những or các.
For instance, “Tôi thích mèo” can mean “I like cats” without explicitly marking the plural.
Are there plural forms for pronouns?
Yes, personal pronouns in Vietnamese can be made plural by adding chúng or các before the pronoun.
For example, “chúng tôi” (we), “các bạn” (you all).
Can I learn Vietnamese online with LTL?
Absolutely!
With Flexi Classes you can study Vietnamese 24/7 in both group or individual classes.
Choose your study time and study topic, make progress fast.
Can I study in Vietnam with LTL?
Yes, you can!
You can study with us in Saigon or Hanoi, in both group or individual classes.
You’ll even have the opportunity to live with a Vietnamese family, thanks to our homestays.