Korean Plurals: Marking Number with 들 (deul)
Learn how Korean marks plural number with the particle 들 (deul), when it is optional, and how it differs from English -s or -es.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
English marks regular plurals by adding -s or -es to a noun: book becomes books, box becomes boxes. Korean does not work that way. Korean nouns are usually unmarked for number, so 하나 (hana, one) or 여러 (yeoreo, several) often carries the number meaning. When you want to make plurality explicit, Korean attaches the plural particle 들 (deul) after a noun: 사람 (saram, person) becomes 사람들 (saramdeul, people). This lesson teaches that pattern with common nouns, shows when 들 is natural, and explains why Korean often leaves it out.
By the end, you can…
- form an explicit Korean plural by adding 들 (deul) after a noun.
- recognize when Korean leaves a noun unmarked for number and relies on context or a number word.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
사람들
people
saram-deul
사람 (saram) means person; 들 (deul) makes the plural explicit. Common when talking about people in general or a group.
학생들
students
haksaeng-deul
학생 (haksaeng) means student. Use 학생들 when you clearly mean more than one student.
책들
books
chaek-deul
책 (chaek) means book. 책들 is possible, but Korean often says 책 alone if the plural is obvious from context.
친구들
friends
chingu-deul
친구 (chingu) means friend. 친구들 is very common when referring to your group of friends.
고양이들
cats
goyangi-deul
고양이 (goyangi) means cat. Adding 들 is clear, though many speakers say 고양이 for both one cat and multiple cats if the number is clear.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The basic pattern is noun + 들 (deul). For example, 사람 (saram, person) becomes 사람들 (saramdeul, people), and 학생 (haksaeng, student) becomes 학생들 (haksaengdeul, students). Unlike English -s or -es, 들 is a separate particle written after the noun, not a change to the noun itself. It can also attach to some pronouns: 우리 (uri, we) and 우리들 (urideul, we) both exist, though 우리 is more common in everyday speech. Do not add 들 after a number word: 세 사람 (se saram, three people) is correct, not 세 사람들.
When to use it
Korean does not require plural marking the way English does. If the context already shows more than one, the noun often stays singular: 책이 많아요 (chaegi manayo, there are many books) is natural without 책들. Use 들 when you want to emphasize a group or when the plural is not clear. For example, 친구들 (chingu-deul, friends) often means 'my friends' as a group. Avoid using 들 with non-human nouns when a number word is present: 고양이 두 마리 (goyangi du mari, two cats) is correct, not 고양이들 두 마리. Also, some nouns like 물 (mul, water) are mass nouns and do not take 들.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
친구들하고 카페에 가요.
I go to a cafe with friends.chingu-deul-hago kape-e gayo학생들도 와요?
Are students coming too?haksaeng-deul-do wayo?네, 학생들도 와요.
Yes, students are coming too.ne, haksaeng-deul-do wayo그럼 책들도 가져와요?
Then are you bringing books too?geureom chaek-deul-do gajyeowayo?A little context goes a long way
Korean plural marking is optional and often omitted when the number is clear from context. Using 들 too often can sound unnatural or overly explicit, especially with inanimate objects. In everyday speech, Koreans rely on number words, counters, and context more than on 들. Listen to how native speakers use 들 in real conversations to develop a feel for when it is natural.
One thing to watch for
Adding 들 after a number word, as in 세 사람들 (se saramdeul) for 'three people'.
Try this instead: Do not add 들 when a number word is present. Say 세 사람 (se saram) or 사람 세 명 (saram se myeong). The number already marks plurality, so 들 is unnecessary and sounds wrong.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you say 'students' in Korean using the plural particle?
Show a sample answer
학생들 (haksaeng-deul)
학생 (haksaeng) means student; adding 들 (deul) makes it plural. In some contexts, 학생 alone can also mean students, so both can be correct depending on clarity.
2Is it correct to say 세 책들 (se chaekdeul) for 'three books'?
Show a sample answer
No. Say 세 책 (se chaek) or 책 세 권 (chaek se gwon).
When a number word like 세 (se, three) is used, the noun typically does not take 들. The number already shows plurality. Using 책들 with a number is redundant and unnatural.
3Translate 'I meet friends' using the plural particle.
Show a sample answer
친구들을 만나요. (chingu-deureul mannayo)
친구 (chingu) becomes 친구들 (chingu-deul) to mean friends. The object particle 를 (reul) attaches after 들. Without 들, 친구를 만나요 could mean 'I meet a friend,' so 들 adds clarity.
Korean marks plural with the particle 들 (deul) after a noun, but it is optional and often omitted when context or a number word already shows plurality. Use it when you need to emphasize a group, and avoid it after number words.
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