Nouns Ending in -анин and -янин
In Russian, many masculine nouns referring to people by their nationality, hometown, social class, or religion end in the suffix -анин or -янин.
To form the plural of these nouns, drop the -ин from the singular form and add -е.
- -анин becomes -ане
- -янин becomes -яне
Nationalities and Citizens
For example, a male citizen of Russia is a россиянин, but in the plural, it becomes россияне. Similarly, an Englishman (англичанин) becomes англичане.
City and Country
This pattern also applies to social classes and demographic groups, like people living in the city or the countryside.
- горожанин (city dweller) becomes горожане
- крестьянин (peasant) becomes крестьяне
North and South
You will use the exact same rule for people from different geographic regions, such as northerners (северяне) and southerners (южане).
Residents of Cities and Empires
Residents of specific cities and members of historical empires follow this pattern as well. A Parisian is a парижанин, and an ancient Roman is a римлянин.
Religious Groups
Finally, words for followers of major religions also use the -е plural ending.
- христианин (Christian) becomes христиане
- мусульманин (Muslim) becomes мусульмане
