Japanese dictionary
How to say "they" in Japanese
彼らかれら · karera
"They" in Japanese is 彼ら (karera) for people, but in conversation Japanese speakers usually say あの人たち (those people) or use names.
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Ways to say "they" in Japanese
| Japanese | When to use it |
|---|---|
| 彼らかれら · karera | They (people, often men or mixed). |
| 彼女たちかのじょたち · kanojotachi | They (women). |
| あの人たちあのひとたち · ano hitotachi | They; those people. |
| それらそれら · sorera | They (things, formal). |
How to use it
For things, Japanese usually leaves "they" out. それら (sorera) appears in formal writing.
"They say that..." is 〜そうです or 〜と言われています.
Example sentences
- あの人たちは同じ会社の人です。Ano hitotachi wa onaji kaisha no hito desu.They work at the same company.
- 彼らは明日到着します。Karera wa ashita tōchaku shimasu.They'll arrive tomorrow.
- 彼女たちは大学の友だちです。Kanojotachi wa daigaku no tomodachi desu.They're friends from college.
- 明日は雨だそうです。Ashita wa ame da sō desu.They say it'll rain tomorrow.
- 田中さんと佐藤さんは会議室にいます。Tanaka-san to Satō-san wa kaigishitsu ni imasu.They (Mr. Tanaka and Ms. Sato) are in the meeting room.
- それらの資料は棚にあります。Sorera no shiryō wa tana ni arimasu.Those documents are on the shelf.
Questions
Do Japanese people say 彼ら?
It's used, but in conversation people more often say あの人たち, use names, or leave the subject out.
How do you say "they say" in Japanese?
Use 〜そうです (sō desu): 明日は雨だそうです (They say it will rain tomorrow).
Using Japanese at work?
See Executive JapaneseExecutive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.