Feminine -а and -я plurals
Replace singular -а or -я with plural -ы or -и, then apply spelling restrictions.
- After г, к, х, ж, ч, ш, and щ, write и rather than ы: кни́ги, ру́чки, му́хи, лу́жи, зада́чи, кры́ши, ро́щи. This is a spelling rule, not a new plural meaning.
- Important exception to the mnemonic: ц does not join that ending rule: у́лица → у́лицы, овца́ → о́вцы. Learn the precise seven-letter set instead of an overbroad 'all hushing sounds' rule.
| Singular | Build | Nominative plural |
|---|---|---|
| шко́ла | школ- + -ы | шко́лы |
| кни́га | книг- + expected plural | кни́ги |
| неде́ля | недел- + -и | неде́ли |
| Мари́я | Мариj- + -и | Мари́и |
Mini-check
1. Form the plurals: шко́ла; ру́чка; неде́ля. 2. Why is *кни́гы impossible?
Apply this next
- Retrieve the rule without looking, then continue to the next lesson.