они́
oní
The English pronoun "they" is translated into Russian as они́ (oní).
они́ is the third-person plural pronoun.
Meaning: third-person plural pronoun (pron)
How does it change in a sentence?
The pronoun changes its form depending on its role in a sentence. In the accusative and genitive cases, it becomes их (them/their). In the dative case, it becomes им (to them). In the instrumental case, it becomes ими (by them/with them). When used after a preposition, the form changes to них (for example, у них means "they have" or "at them").
How do you pronounce it?
oní
When do people say it?
If you wish to emphasize that the group consists specifically of women, you can add the word женщины (women) to они́.
Did you know?
- Russian speakers often use они́ to refer to a single person to show a sense of irony, distance or to suggest that the person's behavior is typical of a certain class of people.
- In Russian, there is no gender-neutral singular 'they' that functions like the modern English usage. While English uses 'they' to refer to a single person of unknown gender, Russian speakers usually use the masculine singular 'он' (he) or a specific person's name.
- In informal spoken Russian, the pronoun они́ is frequently omitted if the context makes it clear who is being discussed, as the verb ending already indicates the plural subject.
Examples in context
- Они работают вместе каждый день.They work together every day.
- Их команда достигла больших успехов.Their team has achieved great success.
- Они говорят о своей поездке в Италию.They talk about their trip to Italy.
- Их котята очень милые.Their kittens are very cute.
- Они, мужчины, готовят вкусный ужин.They, the men, are preparing a delicious dinner.
- Они́ здесь.Oní zdes'.They are here.
- Где они́?Gdye oní?Where are they?
- Они́ очень добрые люди.Oní ochen' dobryye lyudi.They are very kind people.
Example conversation
Dmitry and Ekaterina are looking for their friends in a park.
- Дмитрий DmitryТы видишь их? Где они́?Ty vidish' ikh? Gdye oní?Do you see them? Where are they?
- Екатерина EkaterinaЯ не вижу, но они́ скоро придут.Ya ne vizhu, no oní skoro pridut.I don't see them, but they will arrive soon.
- Дмитрий DmitryМожет быть, они́ в кафе?Mozhet byt', oní v kafe?Maybe they are in the cafe?
- Екатерина EkaterinaДа, скорее всего, они́ там.Da, skoreye vsego, oní tam.Yes, most likely they are there.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “they” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
