they singular
/tei sinɡulaɾ/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "singular they" is referred to as they singular.
The concept of using non-binary or gender-neutral pronouns in Spanish is known as lenguaje inclusivo.
Which one should you use?
Unlike English, which uses "they" to avoid specifying gender, standard Spanish traditionally requires choosing either the masculine él or feminine ella if the person's gender is known. While English speakers might use "they" for a single person, in Spanish, the word ellos is strictly plural and cannot be used to refer to a single individual.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the non-binary pronoun elle, adjectives must also be changed to a neutral form, often ending in '-e' instead of '-o' or '-a'.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use the plural masculine word ellos to refer to a single person of unknown gender. In Spanish, ellos is strictly plural.
Did you know?
- The movement for lenguaje inclusivo has led some Spanish speakers to use the letter x or @ in written text, such as todxs, to visually represent both masculine and feminine endings.
- The non-binary pronoun elle is often accompanied by the neutral article le, creating the phrase le elle instead of the traditional el or la.
- While elle is used as a non-binary pronoun, it is not yet officially recognized by the Real Academia Española, the official body that regulates the Spanish language.
Examples in context
- Me encontré con ellx en el centro comercial.I met up with them at the shopping mall.
- Usa el they singular para no especificar género.Use the singular they to avoid specifying gender.
- Prefiero el they singular cuando no sé quién es.I prefer the singular they when I don't know who it is.
- El they singular es común en la literatura actual.The singular they is common in modern literature.
Example conversation
Sofía and Alejandro are talking about a new coworker.
- SofíaTengo un nuevo colega, pero no conozco a they singular.I have a new colleague, but I don't know them.
- Alejandro¿Sabes si they singular es de aquí?Do you know if they are from here?
- SofíaNo, pero they singular empieza a trabajar mañana.No, but they start working tomorrow.
- AlejandroEspero que they singular sea agradable.I hope they are nice.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
