그들
geudeul[kɯdɯɭ]
The English phrase "them" is translated into Korean as 그들 (geudeul).
그들 is a third-person plural pronoun. In natural spoken Korean, 그들 is often omitted or replaced by the context, as Korean is a pro-drop language.
Meaning: third personal plural pronoun used after a preposition or as the object of a verb (pron)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the demonstrative pronoun 그 (that) and the plural suffix -들 (plural marker).
Which one should you use?
While 그들 is a general term for a group, the term 그녀들 is used specifically to refer to a group of females. If you wish to show higher respect or use a more honorific tone for the group, use 분들 instead.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
그들 is primarily used in written or formal contexts rather than in casual daily conversation.
How does it change in a sentence?
Depending on its role in a sentence, 그들 takes different particles. To indicate a direct object, add the object marker -를 to form 그들을. To indicate a recipient (to them), add the dative particle -에게 to form 그들에게. To create the possessive form (their / of them), add the particle -의 to form 그들의.
How do you pronounce it?
geudeul
Did you know?
- Because 그들 is rarely used in speech, Koreans often identify 'them' by using a kinship term, such as calling a group of older men 'uncles' 아저씨들 regardless of biological relation.
- In traditional Korean, gender-specific pronouns like 그녀들 for 'them (females)' were not used and were introduced later through the influence of Western translation.
- The pronoun 그 inside 그들 is a demonstrative meaning 'that', reflecting how Korean treats third parties as objects located 'over there' in the speaker's mental space.
Examples in context
- 이 기타는 그들의 것이다.This guitar belongs to them.This sentence is useful for showing the possessive form 그들.Tatoeba #11110708 by intertime, translation #3907554 by CH
- 그들에 대해 더 알고 싶다.I want to know more about them.This sentence is useful for showing the use of the prepositional phrase involving 그들.Tatoeba #11107465 by intertime, translation #3920812 by CH
- 그들에게 네가 바빴다고 말했다.I told them you were busy.This sentence is useful for showing the use of the dative particle with 그들.Tatoeba #11106850 by intertime, translation #3905380 by CH
- 그들이 왔어요They came.
- 그녀들은 예쁘다They are beautiful.
- 고객분들Customers
- 그들은 일본에서 왔어요.They came from Japan.
- 애들이 공원에 있어.They are at the park.
- 17 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Dohyun and Subin are talking about some colleagues.
- 도현 Do-hyeon그들은 지금 어디에 있어요?geudeureun jigeum eodie isseoyo?Where are they now?
- 수빈 Su-bin회의실에 있는 것 같아요.hoeuisire isseun geot gatayo.I think they are in the meeting room.
- 도현 Do-hyeon그들과 함께 가도 될까요?geudeul-gwa hamkke gado doelkkayo?Can I go with them?
- 수빈 Su-bin네, 같이 가세요.ne, gachi gaseyo.Yes, please go together.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 그들, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
