ei
[ˈe.iː]
In Latin, 'they' can be expressed using several forms including ei. Wiktionary also lists ii and hi.
Meaning: third-person plural pronoun (pron)
Ways to say it
| Latin | IPA |
|---|---|
| ei | [ˈe.iː] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈe.ɪ] (Classical Latin, narrow) |
| ii | [ˈi.iː] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈiː.i] (narrow) |
| hi | |
| illi | [ˈɪl.liː] (Classical Latin, narrow) [ˈil.li] (narrow) |
Which one should you use?
While ei is a simple third-person pronoun, illi is a demonstrative pronoun often used to mean 'those ones' or to add emphasis to 'they'. The form hi is a demonstrative pronoun meaning 'these' or 'these people', used to distinguish a closer group from illi (those).
How does it change in a sentence?
Unlike the English 'they', the Latin pronoun for 'they' must change its form depending on its grammatical role (case) in the sentence.
Did you know?
- In Latin, the word for 'they' is often omitted entirely because the verb ending already tells the reader that the subject is plural.
- The word illi is the direct ancestor of the Spanish word ellos and the French word ils.
- Using illi can sometimes imply a sense of distance or detachment, almost suggesting that the people being discussed are outsiders or enemies.
Examples in context
- Ii non sunt fessi.They are not tired.Tatoeba #6804233 by soweli_Elepanto, translation #1120764 by cntrational
- Aqua eis bibenda est.They have to drink water.Tatoeba #5039470 by alexmarcelo, translation #2895815 by raggione
- Unus filius iis erat.They had one child.Tatoeba #6978074 by alexmarcelo, translation #6976176 by Hybrid
- Illi veniunt ad forum.They come to the market.
- Illi sunt cives Romani.They are Roman citizens.
- Eos video in horto.I see them in the garden.
- Illi in Gallia habitant.They live in Gaul.
- 163 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gaius and Lucia are talking about some friends.
- GaiusUbi sunt amici nostri?Where are our friends?
- LuciaEi in horto sunt.They are in the garden.
- GaiusQuid faciunt?What are they doing?
- LuciaEi cibum edunt.They are eating food.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “they” translations and entries ei, ii, hi, illi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
