How does one pluralize a family name?
- Wir heißen den Smiths? der Smithen?
- Wir sind die Smith Familie?
Which of these is most natural, and which are acceptable?
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1 Answer
Usually you pluralize a family name in German with an "s":
Wir sind die Schmidts.
But your proposals also are in principle okay, albeit lightly to correct:
Wir heißen Schmidt.
Wir sind Familie Schmidt.
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3It is somewhat surprising for non-native speakers that the default plural inflection for things that aren't really nouns is "-s", when almost no normal German words form an "-s" plural, but it's nevertheless true. Language is fun! Oct 11, 2018 at 6:29
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3+1. You can also find these two options reflected in the German titles of American sitcoms. E.g. The Jeffersons became Die Jeffersons, and The Flintstones became Die Familie Feuerstein.– johnlOct 11, 2018 at 6:30
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@KilianFoth: I assume, that this is exactly the reason for the -s plural. One has not necessarily an idea, which language the name derives from and which declination to apply, therefore one opts for a generic/international scheme.– guidot ♦Oct 11, 2018 at 15:31