Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'they'

English Word: they

Key Russian Translations:

• Они [ɐˈnʲi] - [Informal, Plural, Used for third-person plural subjects]
• Их [iχ] - [Informal, Plural, Genitive case for possession or objects]

Frequency: High (The pronoun "they" and its Russian equivalents are among the most commonly used words in everyday Russian conversation and writing.)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner level, as basic pronouns are introduced early in language learning, though mastering cases like genitive may require practice.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

Они: [ɐˈnʲi]

Note on Они: The pronunciation features a soft 'н' sound, which can be challenging for English speakers; it's similar to the 'ny' in "canyon." Ensure the stress is on the second syllable.

Audio: []

Их: [iχ]

Note on Их: The 'х' is a guttural sound like the 'ch' in Scottish "loch"; it's voiceless and aspirated, which might not exist in English phonetics.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Third-person plural pronoun referring to people or things (general use)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Они - Used as the subject in sentences, equivalent to "they" in English, in informal or neutral contexts like daily conversations.
• Их - Used for possession or as an object, similar to "them" or "their" in English genitive contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Они идут в парк. (They are going to the park.)

  English Translation: They are going to the park. (This example shows "они" in a simple present tense sentence, indicating a group of people.)

• Я вижу их каждый день. (I see them every day.)

  English Translation: I see them every day. (Here, "их" is used in the accusative case to refer to people or objects in a habitual context.)

• Они любят русский язык. (They love the Russian language.)

  English Translation: They love the Russian language. (Demonstrates "они" with a verb in the present tense, expressing emotions.)

• У них есть дом в Москве. (They have a house in Moscow.)

  English Translation: They have a house in Moscow. (This uses "у них" for possession, a common idiomatic structure in Russian.)

• Они и их друзья приедут завтра. (They and their friends will arrive tomorrow.)

  English Translation: They and their friends will arrive tomorrow. (Illustrates "они" and "их" in a sentence with future tense and relationships.)

Meaning 2: Gender-neutral singular pronoun (in modern usage, though less common in traditional Russian)

Translation(s) & Context:

• Они - Increasingly used in informal contexts for singular gender-neutral reference, similar to English "they/them" for non-binary individuals, though Russian often defaults to gendered pronouns.

Usage Examples:

• Этот человек сказал, что они придут позже. (This person said that they will come later.)

  English Translation: This person said that they will come later. (Shows "они" in a singular gender-neutral context, adapting to contemporary usage.)

• Я не знаю, как зовут их. (I don't know what to call them.)

  English Translation: I don't know what to call them. (Uses "их" for a singular gender-neutral object, highlighting flexibility in modern Russian.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

Russian pronouns like "они" and "их" are part of the third-person pronoun system and inflect based on case. They do not change for number in the same way as nouns but vary by grammatical case. "Они" is primarily nominative, while related forms adjust for other cases.

Note: These forms are irregular and must be memorized, as they do not follow noun declension patterns.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • Сии (archaic or formal variant, meaning "these" in some contexts, but less common)
  • Тех (for "those," in specific referential contexts)

  Brief note: "Сии" is more literary and rarely used in modern spoken Russian, while "Тех" implies distance or specificity.

• Antonyms: N/A (Pronouns like "они" do not have direct antonyms, as they are neutral descriptors; opposites might be implied through context, e.g., "мы" for "we" vs. "they").

Related Phrases:

• У них все в порядке - Meaning: Everything is fine with them. (Used to inquire about someone's well-being.)
• Они вместе - Meaning: They are together. (Common in discussions of relationships or groups.)
• С ними не поспоришь - Meaning: You can't argue with them. (An idiomatic expression for stubbornness or authority.)

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "они" directly corresponds to the English "they" for plural third-person reference, but always consider the case system—use "их" for genitive or accusative contexts to avoid grammatical errors. English speakers should note that Russian pronouns lack gender neutrality in traditional forms, though "они" is adapting in informal settings. Choose between translations based on sentence structure: nominative for subjects, other cases for objects. This pronoun is versatile across formal and informal domains but is essential in narrative and dialogue.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "они" in all cases without adjusting for grammar, e.g., saying "Я люблю они" instead of "Я люблю их" (I love them).

  Correct: Я люблю их. (Explanation: "Их" is the correct accusative form; using "они" here would sound unnatural and incorrect.)

• Error: Confusing with singular pronouns like "он" (he), leading to misuse in gender-neutral contexts, e.g., "Он" for a non-binary person.

  Correct: Use "они" for gender-neutral singular to align with English "they," though this is emerging in Russian. (Explanation: Traditional Russian requires gendered pronouns, so learners must be aware of cultural shifts.)

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, pronouns like "они" are straightforward in everyday use but can carry subtle social implications in formal or literary contexts. For instance, in historical or classical Russian literature, pronoun usage reflects social hierarchy, but in modern contexts, the adoption of gender-neutral "они" mirrors global inclusivity trends, though it's not yet widespread.

Related Concepts:

• Мы (we)
• Вы (you, plural or formal)
• Он/Она/Оно (he/she/it)