её
jejó[(j)ɪˈjɵ]
In Russian, the word for her is её (jejó).
её is used to refer to a female person or animal as either a direct object or to indicate possession (her/hers).
Which one should you use?
While её is used for direct objects, such as when you see her, you must use the form ей when a verb requires the dative case, such as when you give something to her.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word её functions as both the objective case (her) and the possessive case (her/hers).
How do you pronounce it?
jejó
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use её for 'to her' in sentences involving giving or telling. Instead, you must use the dative form ей.
Did you know?
- Russian has no separate word for 'its'. When referring to a feminine object the language uses её to mean 'its'.
- The root of её is linked to the Proto-Slavic *jeję̇, which is a distant relative of the English pronoun 'she' through ancient Indo-European connections.
- The word её actually contains a hidden 'yo' sound that is written with the letter 'ё', which is often printed as 'e' in newspapers and books.
Examples in context
- Я её не ищу.I'm not looking for her.This sentence shows how to use её as a direct object in a negative sentence.Tatoeba #5885027 by nina99nv, translation #13515943 by rul
- Я ей её дам.I'll give that to her.This sentence demonstrates the use of the dative form ей alongside the objective form её.Tatoeba #6591778 by marafon, translation #3905923 by CH
- Я даю её ей.I'm giving it to her.This sentence shows the interaction between the objective form её and the dative form ей.Tatoeba #7359248 by marafon, translation #3907248 by CH
- Она много работает, и я очень ценю ее усилия.She works hard, and I truly appreciate her efforts.
- Я видел ее в кино вчера.I saw her at the movies yesterday.
- Я дал ей подарок на день рождения.I gave her a gift for her birthday.
- Он любит ееHe loves her
- Ее красивая сестраHer beautiful sister
- 6917 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ekaterina and Alexander are talking about a mutual friend.
- Екатерина EkaterinaТы видел её сегодня?Ty videl eyyo segodnya?Did you see her today?
- Александр AleksandrНет, я не видел её.Net, ya ne videl eyyo.No, I didn't see her.
- Екатерина EkaterinaГде её сумка?Gde eyyo sumka?Where is her bag?
- Александр AleksandrОна оставила её здесь.Ona ostavila eyyo zdes'.She left it here.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry её, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries её, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
