Question 1

Why doesn't micro-ondes change its spelling when there are three of them?

Accepted Answer

Because it is invariable in the plural! The singular form is actually already un micro-ondes (with an -s). When you pluralize a compound noun where the noun part is already plural by definition, it doesn't change. One microwave is un micro-ondes, and three microwaves are trois micro-ondes.

Question 2

Why does the singular form un micro-ondes have an -s at the end anyway?

Accepted Answer

It comes from the literal meaning of the word. Une onde means a wave (as in physics, like a radio wave or sound wave). The appliance uses multiple micro-waves to heat food. Because it inherently relies on multiple waves, the noun part of this prefix + noun compound is always plural, even when referring to just one machine.

Question 3

How do prefix + noun compounds usually pluralize if they don't already end in -s?

Accepted Answer

Normally, words formed with an invariable prefix (like micro-, mini-, auto-) and a noun will add an -s to the noun part in the plural. For example, un micro-ordinateur becomes des micro-ordinateurs. Micro-ondes stands out because that noun part already has an -s built into its base form.

Question 4

Is the inversion in avons-nous mandatory here?

Accepted Answer

Subject-verb inversion like avons-nous is slightly more formal and very common in written French, but it is not strictly required. In everyday spoken French, you will much more commonly hear Pourquoi est-ce qu'on a... or simply Pourquoi on a trois micro-ondes....

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