彼(かれ)ら

彼(かれ)ら is the third-person plural pronoun, formed from 彼(かれ) (he) + ら (plural suffix).

Usage

Traditionally used for:

• All-male groups
• Mixed-gender groups

In everyday speech, Japanese often omits pronouns, and あの人(ひと)たち is less direct than 彼(かれ)ら.

Related words

• 彼(かれ): he → 彼(かれ)ら: they (m/mixed)
• 彼女(かのじょ): she → 彼女(かのじょ)たち: they (f)
• 私(わたし): I → 私(わたし)たち: we
• あの人(ひと): that person → あの人(ひと)たち: those people

Watch out

• 彼(かれ)ら can sound distant or dismissive about people who are present or about superiors; use their names or あの方(かた)たち instead.