Plurals of Short Nouns
When making a masculine noun plural in Croatian, you typically add -i. However, if the noun is monosyllabic (one syllable), it usually requires an extra syllable before the ending.
We use the infixes -ov- or -ev- to stretch the word out, making the full plural ending -ovi or -evi. The choice depends on the noun's final letter.
The "-evi" Plural (Soft Consonants)
If a one-syllable masculine noun ends in a "soft" consonant (such as j, lj, nj, č, ć, š, or ž), we add -evi. (Note: the word car also takes this ending).
| The dragons flew above the mountain. | Zmajevi su letjeli iznad planine. |
| His grandfather thought that the old kings drank wine. | Njegov djed je mislio da su stari kraljevi pili vino. |
| If the swords are ready, we will set off. | Ako su mačevi spremni, krenut ćemo. |
| The little mice are eating our cheese. | Mali miševi jedu naš sir. |
The "-ovi" Plural (Hard Consonants)
If the noun ends in any other consonant (a "hard" consonant, like k, h, t, g, or v), we use the default ending -ovi.
| There are dangerous wolves in the forest. | U šumi su opasni vukovi. |
| The ghosts are sleeping under the bed. | Duhovi spavaju ispod kreveta. |
| The horns on the wall are really sharp. | Rogovi na zidu su stvarno oštri. |
| The lions ran away from the garden last night. | Lavovi su sinoć pobjegli iz vrta. |
Mixed Examples
Here are a few sentences showing both endings side by side.
| Where are the kings and emperors? | Gdje su kraljevi i carevi? |
| Wolves and lions are dangerous animals. | Vukovi i lavovi su opasne životinje. |
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