〜達 not only for people

It is quite commonly known that you can use the 〜たち suffix to pluralize a word. For example:

  • 先生たち - teachers

It is also said that the usage of this suffix for inanimate concepts is wrong, however this is not exactly right. You can use this suffix for such concepts.

Its [-tachi] use is less appropriate when talking about animals; however, the plural marker can be attached to practically any noun if the speaker/writer feels close to whatever is expressed by the noun [1].

I’ve come across 〜達 used for inanimate things several times with one example being lyrics of a song:

何処までも続く溟い海の終わりで 奈落への滝が嗤い続け轟く “目指したトコロは此処だったのか?” 今は先を急ぐ 水達に乗せられたまま

Bibliography

  1. S. Makino and M. Tsutsui, A dictionary of advanced Japanese grammar. Japan Times, 2008.