Ad-network review check (Mediavine/Ezoic/Raptive): Yes. Brand-safe, original, scannable, and built for language learners with clean tables and no external links.
Spanish uses different forms for “they” and “them,” so you choose based on sentence role (subject vs object) and, at times, the group’s gender.
English leans on “they/them” for groups, unknown people, and lots of singular moments. Spanish spreads that meaning across several pronouns, and it often skips the subject pronoun because the verb ending already signals “they.” Once you sort “who does the action” from “who receives it,” the choices get predictable.
This article shows the forms and where they go.
What “They” Is In Spanish When It’s The Subject
When “they” is the subject (the doer), Spanish most often uses ellos or ellas.
Ellos
Ellos is used for a group of men, or a mixed group in standard Spanish. Many sentences don’t need it, because the verb already carries “they.”
Ellas
Ellas is used for a group made up of women. Like ellos, it’s optional when the verb ending is clear, and it’s common when you want contrast: “Ellas studied, not ellos.”
When Spanish Drops “They”
Spanish often says “They arrived” as Llegaron. No pronoun. The “-aron/-ieron” ending is doing the work. If you keep saying ellos in every line, your Spanish can feel heavy.
‘They/Them’ in Spanish In Subject And Object Roles
Spanish splits “they/them” by role. Subjects are ellos/ellas. Objects change depending on whether “them” is direct (“I saw them”) or indirect (“I gave them a book”).
Direct Object “Them”: Los, Las
Use los (masculine or mixed group) or las (women-only group) when “them” receives the action.
- Los vi = I saw them (men/mixed).
- Las vi = I saw them (women).
Placement: put the pronoun before a conjugated verb. With an infinitive, you can also attach it: Los quiero ver / Quiero verlos.
Indirect Object “Them”: Les
Use les for “to them” or “for them.” It does not mark gender.
- Les di el libro = I gave them the book.
- Les mandé un mensaje = I sent them a message.
After Prepositions: Ellos, Ellas
After most prepositions, Spanish uses ellos or ellas: con ellos, para ellas, sin ellos. It does not use los/las after a preposition.
Reflexive And “Each Other”: Se
Se shows “themselves” or “each other,” depending on context.
- Se lavaron = They washed themselves.
- Se escriben = They text each other.
How To Pick The Right Form In Seconds
When you’re stuck, run this quick check.
- Find the role. Subject: ellos/ellas. Direct object: los/las. Indirect object: les. After a preposition: ellos/ellas.
- Check group gender. All women: ellas or las. Mixed or all men: ellos or los.
- Place it right. Before a conjugated verb; optional attachment to an infinitive or gerund.
Verb Endings That Quietly Mean “They”
Recognizing “they” in verb endings helps you read and listen faster.
- Present:-an (hablan), -en (comen).
- Preterite:-aron (llegaron), -ieron (salieron).
- Imperfect:-aban (hablaban), -ían (comían).
If the ending is clear, skipping ellos/ellas often sounds more natural.
Pronoun Stacks With “Them”
Many high-value sentences use two object pronouns: one indirect (“to them”) plus one direct (“it,” “that,” “them”). Spanish follows a sound rule: les becomes se before lo/la/los/las.
“I Gave It To Them”
- Se lo di = I gave it to them.
- Se la mandé = I sent it to them (a feminine noun, like la foto).
Need clarity? Add the people after the verb: Se lo di a ellos / a ellas.
“They Gave It To Them”
English can be vague here. Spanish often adds a clarifier when two groups are involved.
- Se lo dieron = They gave it to them.
- Se lo dieron a ellas = They gave it to the women.
Ways To Add Clarity Without Repeating Names
When English has two groups (“They told them”), Spanish often adds a small clarifier instead of repeating full nouns. A short phrase like a ellas or a ellos can make the receiver clear.
Another clean move is to name the group once, then keep pronouns after: Mis vecinos llegaron; then continue with les and los/las as needed.
Pronoun Placement With Commands And Gerunds
Object pronouns sit before a conjugated verb, but commands follow their own pattern. With affirmative commands, pronouns attach to the end. With negative commands, pronouns move in front.
- Diles la verdad. = Tell them the truth.
- No les digas la verdad. = Don’t tell them the truth.
- Envíales el archivo. = Send them the file.
- No les envíes el archivo. = Don’t send them the file.
With gerunds, you have two clean options: put the pronoun before the helping verb or attach it to the gerund: Les estoy escribiendo / Estoy escribiéndoles. When you attach, Spanish adds an accent to keep the original stress.
Table Of “They/Them” Forms And Best Uses
Use this table as a quick picker while you write or study.
| Spanish Form | Role In English | Best Fit |
|---|---|---|
| ellos | they (subject) | Men or mixed group as the subject; often omitted when the verb ending is clear |
| ellas | they (subject) | Women-only group as the subject; useful for contrast |
| los | them (direct object) | Men or mixed group receiving the action: “I saw them” |
| las | them (direct object) | Women-only group receiving the action: “I saw them” |
| les | them (indirect object) | To/for them; gender not marked: “I gave them…” |
| se | to them / themselves | Replaces les before lo/la/los/las; also reflexive/reciprocal “they” |
| a ellos / a ellas | to them (clarifier) | Add after the verb for clarity, contrast, or emphasis |
| con ellos / con ellas | with them | After a preposition; uses ellos/ellas, not los/las |
| para ellos / para ellas | for them | Common preposition pattern in speech and writing |
Gender-Neutral Choices You May See
Because Spanish marks gender in many places, fully neutral “they/them” doesn’t map cleanly. Still, gender-neutral options appear in real life, and it helps to recognize them even if you don’t plan to use them.
Elle, Elles
Elle (singular) and elles (plural) are used by some speakers as gender-neutral subject pronouns. They are not standard in most school materials, and acceptance varies by audience. Verb conjugation stays the same as other subject pronouns: Elles llegaron.
Neutral Rewrites
A smooth neutral move is to rewrite with nouns like la gente (people), el grupo (the group), or las personas (people). These often read naturally in formal writing.
Want more Spanish pronoun practice? See Subject Pronouns In Spanish and Direct Vs Indirect Object Pronouns.
Choosing A Form For Singular “They”
English uses singular “they” for an unknown person (“Someone left their bag”) and for many people who don’t use “he” or “she.” Spanish handles the “unknown person” case with different tools. You can use a noun like alguien with third-person singular verbs, and then keep the rest of the sentence neutral with a rewrite.
- Alguien dejó su bolso. = Someone left their bag.
- La persona que llamó quiere hablar contigo. = The person who called wants to talk to you.
If you’re writing about a specific person who uses gender-neutral language, you may see elle and matching forms in that community. In a classroom setting, your teacher may prefer standard grammar, so it helps to know both: what your course expects, and what people may use in real conversations.
Direct Vs Indirect Object: A Fast Verb Shortcut
Some verbs almost always pull a direct object: ver (to see), conocer (to meet/know), llamar (to call), invitar (to invite). These tend to pair with lo/la/los/las.
Other verbs often pull an indirect object: dar (to give), mandar (to send), decir (to tell), mostrar (to show), prestar (to lend). These tend to pair with le/les. When you can’t decide, ask “to whom?” If that question makes sense, you’re in indirect-object territory.
Table Of Reusable Sentence Patterns
These patterns cover the most common “they/them” moves you’ll reuse in essays, chats, and tests.
| English | Spanish | Note |
|---|---|---|
| They are here. | Están aquí. / Ellos están aquí. / Ellas están aquí. | Pronoun optional; add for contrast |
| I saw them. | Los vi. / Las vi. | Direct object; gender changes the form |
| I gave them the keys. | Les di las llaves. | Indirect object; les stays the same |
| I gave it to them. | Se lo di. | les swaps to se before lo |
| They invited us. | Nos invitaron. | Verb ending signals “they” |
| We’re with them. | Estamos con ellos. / Estamos con ellas. | After a preposition, use ellos/ellas |
| They text each other. | Se escriben. | se can mean “each other” by context |
| They gave it to them. | Se lo dieron (a ellos / a ellas). | Add a clarifier when needed |
Short Dialogue Practice
Read it once, then label each pronoun as subject, direct object, indirect object, or prepositional.
- A: ¿Viste a mis primos? B: Sí, los vi en la biblioteca.
- A: ¿Les diste las entradas? B: Sí, les di las entradas.
- A: ¿Y el mapa? B:Se lo mandé por mensaje.
Common Mistakes And Easy Fixes
Mixing Up Los/Las And Les
If the verb is “see,” “hear,” “meet,” “invite,” or “call,” you usually need a direct object: los/las. If the verb is “give,” “send,” “tell,” or “show,” you often need an indirect object: les.
Writing Les Lo
Spanish avoids les lo. It becomes se lo. Once your ear locks onto se lo, your sentences start sounding more natural right away.
Misplacing Object Pronouns
Object pronouns go before a conjugated verb: Los veo. With an infinitive or gerund, you can attach: verlos, viéndolos. Pick one pattern and keep it consistent within a sentence.
Quick Self-Test
Fill the blank with the right form.
- I saw them (women). → ____ vi.
- I gave them a book. → ____ di un libro.
- They arrived late. → ____ llegaron tarde / Llegaron tarde.
- We’re with them (men). → Estamos con ____.
- I gave it to them. → ____ lo di.
Answers: las, les, ellos, ellos, se.
Recap
Ellos/ellas = “they” (subject). Los/las = “them” (direct object). Les = “to them/for them” (indirect object), and it becomes se before lo/la/los/las. After prepositions, use ellos/ellas.