Compound nouns with capo- form the plural in such different ways that they deserve a separate lesson:
1. When (capo-) indicates ‘he who is the head of something’, and the second element is a name of a thing or a group of individuals, the plural is formed by modifying the ending of (capo-):
Singular: Il capofamiglia (householder) – Il capogruppo (group leader) – Il caporeparto (Department head) – Il capobanda (ringleader) – Il caposquadra (foreman) – Il capostazione (stationmaster) – Il capoufficio (head office).
Plural: I capifamiglia – I capigruppo – I capireparto – I capibanda – I capisquadra – I capistazione – I capiufficio.
2. When (capo-) indicates ‘he who is someone’s boss’ and the second word is a person’s name, the plural is formed by modifying the ending of the second element:
Singular: Il capocuoco (chef) – Il caporedattore (Chief Editor) – Il capocomico (comedian).
Plural: I capocuochi – I caporedattori – I capocomici.
Or when it indicates ‘something that is pre-eminent, excellent’.
Singular: Il capolavoro (masterpiece) – Il capoluogo (capital).
Plural: I capolavori – I capoluoghi.
3. In the plural of feminine nouns (capo-) always remains unchanged:
Singular: La caposala (head nurse) – La caporeparto (Department head) – La capoinfermiera (head nurse).
Plural: Le caposala – Le caporeparto – Le capoinfermiera.
Exception:
Singular: La caporedattrice (editor–in–chief).
Plural: Le caporedattrici.
Exercises on the lesson here
Next lesson:
I nomi primitivi e derivati / Primitive and derived nouns.