How are plurals formed in Greek?

Plural formation in Greek is complex, varying significantly depending on the declension (roughly equivalent to noun classes in other languages) and gender of the noun. There isn't a single, simple rule. However, we can break it down by looking at common patterns:

Key Factors:

* Declension: Greek nouns belong to various declensions (usually considered to be five, but some classifications use more). Each declension has its own characteristic plural endings.

* Gender: Greek nouns are masculine, feminine, or neuter. The plural endings differ depending on the gender.

* Stem: The stem of the noun (the part remaining after removing the ending) is crucial for forming the plural. Sometimes the stem itself changes in the plural.

Common Plural Endings:

These are generalizations and many exceptions exist:

* Masculine: Common endings include `-οι (-oi)` and `-ες (-es)`. Some masculine nouns have more irregular plural formations.

* Feminine: Common endings include `-αι (-ai)`, `-ες (-es)`, and some less frequent ones. Again, irregularity is common.

* Neuter: Common endings include `-α (-a)`, which often looks identical to the singular feminine ending, but importantly has different declension patterns.

Examples:

Let's illustrate with a few examples from different declensions:

* First Declension (mostly feminine):

* `γυνή (gynḗ)` - woman (singular) ; `γυναῖκες (gynaîkes)` - women (plural) (Note the stem change)

* Second Declension (masculine and neuter):

* Masculine: `άνθρωπος (ánthrōpos)` - man; `ἄνθρωποι (ánthrōpoi)` - men

* Neuter: `δῶρον (dôron)` - gift; `δῶρα (dôra)` - gifts

* Third Declension (masculine, feminine, and neuter): This declension is highly irregular, with a wide variety of plural endings and stem changes. Examples are needed on a case-by-case basis. e.g., `πούς (poús)` - foot; `πόδες (pódes)` - feet.

Irregular Plurals:

Many Greek nouns have irregular plural forms that don't follow the typical patterns described above. These often involve significant changes to the stem or completely unpredictable endings. Learning these irregular plurals is a significant part of mastering Greek.

In short: There's no single formula for forming Greek plurals. The process depends heavily on the noun's declension, gender, and often involves unpredictable stem changes. Learning the plural forms of individual nouns is essential. A Greek grammar textbook is the best resource for detailed explanations and comprehensive lists.