Guide on How to Say “They Are” in Japanese

When learning a new language, it’s essential to understand how to express the concept of “they are.” In Japanese, the way you convey this idea depends on the formality level and context. This guide will provide you with an overview of how to say “they are” in both formal and informal settings, along with tips, examples, and regional variations.

Formal Ways to Say “They Are”

In formal situations or when addressing individuals whom you should show respect to, such as superiors, elders, or strangers, you can use the following expressions:

1. 彼らは (karera wa) – When referring to a group of people or a mixed-gender group, “karera wa” is the most common way to say “they are” formally. For example:
   
   

   彼らは学生です。
   (Karera wa gakusei desu.)
   “They are students.”

2. 彼女たちは (kanojo-tachi wa) – If the group consists only of females, you can say “kanojo-tachi wa.” For example:
   
   

   彼女たちは先生です。
   (Kanojo-tachi wa sensei desu.)
   “They are teachers.”

3. お二人は (o-futari wa) – When referring to a respectful pair, such as a couple, you can use “o-futari wa.” For example:
   
   

   お二人は結婚していますか？
   (O-futari wa kekkon shite imasu ka?)
   “Are you two married?”

Informal Ways to Say “They Are”

In casual situations, when speaking to friends, family, or people of similar age or status, you can use the following expressions:

1. 彼らは (karera wa) – Similar to the formal usage, “karera wa” can also be used informally. For example:
   
   

   彼らは友達だ。
   (Karera wa tomodachi da.)
   “They are friends.”

2. 彼女たちは (kanojo-tachi wa) – Informally, “kanojo-tachi wa” is used when referring to a group of females only. For example:
   
   

   彼女たちは絵を描くのが好きだ。
   (Kanojo-tachi wa e o kaku no ga suki da.)
   “They like to draw pictures.”

3. あの二人は (ano futari wa) – To mention “they” while pointing at a specific pair, you can use “ano futari wa.” For example:
   
   

   あの二人は日本語が上手だね。
   (Ano futari wa nihongo ga jōzu da ne.)
   “They are good at Japanese, aren’t they?”

Tips for Using “They Are” in Japanese

To ensure your usage of “they are” in Japanese is accurate and appropriate, here are some additional tips:

1. Remember to use the appropriate verb conjugation. In the examples provided, “desu” is used for both formal and informal situations. However, for casual conversations, you can replace “desu” with “da.”
2. Pay attention to the particles after the subject. In the given examples, “wa” is used to mark the subject. Other particles like “ga” and “o” might be needed depending on the sentence structure.
3. When addressing individuals directly, especially in formal settings, polite terms such as “san” (さん) can be added after the person’s name. For instance, “Smith-san wa gakusei desu” means “Mr./Ms. Smith is a student.”
4. Be mindful of the verb tense for “they are.” The present tense is used in the examples provided, but if you wish to talk about what someone was or will be, you can modify the verb accordingly.

Now that you have familiarized yourself with the various ways to say “they are” in Japanese, you can confidently use these expressions in both formal and informal situations. Practice these phrases with native speakers, and you’ll soon become more comfortable using them in everyday conversations. Enjoy your Japanese language journey!