Exception Nouns

Source

There are seven general exceptions in the 2nd declension. Instead of ending in -is, seven nouns end in -s ****.

Essentially, the nominative singular is all that is different. According to my grammar book, the genitive singular is also -s instead of -a with a consonant palatization change, but every time I go by the book when I translate into Latvian, my husband corrects me.

So, apparently, it depends on who you talk to and what they think sounds good. I don't think it's wrong either way and you'll be understood regardless of which you choose.

The seven nouns are:

  • akmens : stone
  • asmens : blade
  • ūdens : water
  • rudens : fall, autumn
  • zibens : lightning
  • mēness : moon
  • suns : dog

Then there's sals (salt). It's technically still a 6th declension noun but it's moving into the 2nd declension where it'll be an exception…. and no one really knows which one it's actually in.