-들 in Korean: “plural”
-들
-deul
plural
Beginner · Word endings and look-alikes
-들 (-deul) makes a noun plural, a bit like English "-s": 친구들 means "friends." Unlike English, it is often optional, and Koreans leave it out when the plural is already clear. It is used most with people.
How to form it
| When | Add | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun (any ending) | + 들 | 친구 → 친구들, 학생 → 학생들 |
| Pronoun | + 들 | 우리 → 우리들, 너희 → 너희들 |
| Followed by a particle | + 들 + particle | 아이 → 아이들이 |
How to use it
-들 marks more than one, especially with people: 학생들 (students), 아이들 (children). With things, it is less common: people often just say 책 for "books."
When a number or a word like 많이 already shows there are several, -들 is usually not needed: 사과 세 개 (three apples).
Particles come after -들: 친구들이, 친구들하고, 친구들한테.
In casual speech, 들 can also attach to other words to show the action is done by several people: 많이들 드세요 (Everyone, please eat a lot).
Examples
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Talking about your weekend
Describing a classroom
Watching a playground
A host at dinner
Don’t mix it up with
여러분: 여러분 means "everyone" or "you all" when addressing a group. It is already plural, so it does not need 들.
Common mistakes
Adding 들 to every plural thing, as in 사과들 세 개. When a number shows the amount, just say 사과 세 개.
Questions learners ask
Do I always need 들 for plurals in Korean?
No. -들 is optional and often left out, especially for things or when the context makes the plural clear.
What does 많이들 mean?
It means "a lot" with the idea that everyone in the group is doing it, as in 많이들 드세요 (everyone, eat up).