Compound nouns are usually made up of two different words: nouns, verbs, adverbs, or adjectives. Forming the plural of these nouns does not follow a set of precise rules, but there are some general guidelines you can use. Generally speaking, the plural form of a compound noun is made by pluralizing one or both of the words that comprise it.
The following guidelines will focus on the category of compound nouns comprised of nouns + nouns.
The following guidelines will focus on the category of compound nouns comprised of nouns + nouns.
Noun + Noun
- Generally speaking, the second noun is pluralized.
il pescecane ... i pescecani
l'arcobaleno ... gli arcobaleni
la ferrovia ... le ferrovie
la banconota ... le banconote
il cavolfiore ... i cavolfiori
l'autostrada ... le autostrade - Compound nouns comprised of two nouns beginning with the noun capo, wherein it takes on the meaning leader, boss, chief, etc., are pluralized either by pluralizing capo or by not changing at all in feminine cases.
il capostazione ... i capistazione
il caposquadra ... i capisquadra
la caposquadra ... le caposquadra
il capobanda ... i capibanda
la capobanda ... le capobanda
il capofamiglia ... i capifamiglia
la capofamiglia ... le capofamiglia
il capoufficio ... i capiufficio
la capoufficio ... le capoufficio
NB: The spelling “capuffìcio” and “capo uffìcio” is also correct.