Masculine plurals in -а and -я
A sizeable lexical group takes stressed -а/-я; the singular ending alone does not predict membership.
- Some competing plurals differ by meaning or register: о́бразы 'images/figures' versus образа́ 'icons'; то́ны 'tones/sounds' versus тона́ 'shades/colours'. A dictionary must arbitrate.
- Norm warning: Do not generate -а for every profession. Инжене́ры is standard; a guessed *инженера́ is not.
| Singular | Standard plural | Note |
|---|---|---|
| го́род | города́ | common place noun |
| а́дрес | адреса́ | stress moves |
| до́ктор | доктора́ | profession |
| профе́ссор | профессора́ | profession |
| учи́тель | учителя́ | soft stem + -я |
| бе́рег | берега́ | lexical plural |
Mini-check
1. Give the stored plurals: до́ктор; учи́тель; инжене́р. 2. Why is -а/-я called lexical here?
Apply this next
- Retrieve the rule without looking, then continue to the next lesson.