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P o r t u g u e s e O n l i n e

>>Nouns > Irregular Nouns > Other Endings (-s and -l)

The most common noun endings are somewhat straight-forward, and some of them even give away the gender of the noun. Many nouns, however, have an irregular plural. Some of these irregular nouns have nasal endings and are discussed in a separate section. Nouns with unexpected endings other than nasal sounds (-ã, -ão and -m) are treated here.

Both nouns and adjectives that end in an -s do not add the expected -es in the plural. Instead, they remain the same in both the singular and the plural. O vírus the virus has the corresponding plural os vírus the viruses, the viri. The adjective simples simple has the plural form simples.

Nouns and adjectives that end in an -l have a plural in -is, but form that plural in a variety of ways.

Nouns and adjectives ending in -al have a corresponding plural in -ais. A cal the lime has the plural as cais the limes.

Nouns and adjectives ending in -el have a corresponding plural in -eis. O hotel the hotel has the plural os hoteis the limes.

Nouns and adjectives with the ending -il have a corresponding plural in -is. If, however, the word's final syllable is not stressed, the plural is formed with -eis. The adjective vil vile has the plural vis, but the adjective fácil easy has the plural fáceis.

Nouns and adjectives ending in -ol have a corresponding plural in -ois. O sol the sun has the plural os sois the suns.

Nouns and adjectives ending in -ul have a corresponding plural in -uis. The adjective azul blue has the plural azuis.

The articles remain the same with these irregular nouns, and the interaction between the article and the noun does not change.