You might have noticed some Chinese people have trouble using the plural form of English nouns. This is because Chinese grammar is structured differently. In Chinese, nouns do not change form to indicate plurality. Here are the most common ways to denote two or more items in Chinese.

Part 1. Add '们' to indicate plurality

The suffix "们" (men) is used after pronouns or nouns referring to people to indicate plurality.

Examples:

• Pronouns: 你们 (nǐ men), 我们 (wǒ men), 他们 (tā men), 她们 (tā men)
• Other nouns: 老师们 (lǎo shī men, teachers), 学生们 (xué shēng men, students), 老人们 (lǎo rén men, elderly people), 妈妈们 (mā ma men, mothers)

However, there are some exceptions:

1. "您们" (nín men) and "谁们" (shéi men) are not correct. There is still some controversy about "您们" — best to avoid it to be safe.

2. When a noun is preceded by a number, it should not be followed by "们".

• × 五个学生们 (five students + 们)
• √ 五个学生 (five students)

3. "们" can be used in the personification of something non-human, such as animals or plants.

小狗们喜欢玩游戏。

xiǎo gǒu men xǐ huan wán yóu xì

Puppies like playing games.

花儿们在风中跳舞。

huā er men zài fēng zhōng tiào wǔ,

Flowers are dancing in the wind.

Part 2. Use a measure word to indicate plurality

Below are three situations where the "number + measure word + noun" structure is used for plurals in Chinese.

1. More than one of a noun

When you know the quantity of something to be more than one, use this structure: number (>1) + normal measure word + noun.

Examples:

• 三只狗 (sān zhī gǒu, three dogs)
• 五个杯子 (wǔ gè bēi zi, five cups)
• 六杯啤酒 (liù bēi pí jiǔ, six glasses of beer)

2. A special quantity of a noun

For specific quantities like pairs, dozens, or batches, use a special measure word: 一 (yī, one) + special measure word + noun.

Examples:

(1) 一双/一对 (yì shuāng/yí duì, pair)

• 一双手 (yì shuāng shǒu, a pair of hands)
• 一对花瓶 (yí duì huā píng, a pair of vases)

(2) 一些 (yì xiē, several)

• 一些书 (yì xiē shū, several books)

(3) 一打 (yì dá, dozen)

• 一打啤酒 (yì dá pí jiǔ, a dozen of beer)

(4) 一批 (yì pī, batch)

• 一批货物 (yì pī huò wù, a batch of goods)

(5) 一群 (yì qún, group)

• 一群鸭子 (yì qún yā zi, a group of ducks)

3. An ambiguous quantity

If you don't know the specific quantity, you can use ambiguous number words. When using an ambiguous number, follow this structure: ambiguous number word + measure word + noun.

Examples:

(1) 几 (jǐ, several)

• 几家饭店 (jǐ jiā fàn diàn, several restaurants)
• 几 (ambiguous number word) + 家 (measure word) + 饭店 (noun)

(2) 很多 (hěn duō, many, a lot)

• 很多间教室 (hěn duō jiān jiào shì, many classrooms)
• 很多 (ambiguous number word) + 间 (measure word) + 教室 (noun)

Source: goeastmandarin.com

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