ils
/il/
In French, the English phrase 'they/them' for a non-binary person is translated as ils.
Ces personnes is a polite and indirect way to refer to a group of people, while Ces gars-là is an informal expression used to refer to a specific group of people, especially males.
Meaning: non-binary person (noun)
Which one should you use?
While ils is the traditional masculine plural, iel is the common non-binary singular pronoun used to refer to a person of unspecified or non-binary gender.
How do you pronounce it?
/il/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often use ils to mean 'they' (non-binary), but in French, ils is strictly the masculine plural pronoun. For a single non-binary person, iel is the appropriate term.
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Elles sont en réunionThey [females] are in a meeting
- Ils sont arrivésThey [males and females] arrived
- Ceux-ci sont mes collèguesThese [people] are my colleagues
- Ces personnes vont organiser l'événementThese people will organize the event
- Ils sont partis en vacancesThey [males and females] went on vacation
- Elles sont mes amiesThey [females] are my friends
- Ces gars-là sont vraiment sympasThose guys are really nice
- Ceux-là sont les nouveaux voisinsThose [people] are the new neighbors
Example conversation
Hugo and Chloé are talking about a new colleague.
- HugoEst-ce que tu connais le nouveau collègue ?Do you know the new colleague?
- ChloéOui, ils sont très sympathiques.Yes, they are very nice.
- HugoJe vais aller parler avec ils.I am going to go talk with them.
- ChloéC'est une bonne idée, Hugo.That is a good idea, Hugo.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ils, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ils, CC BY-SA 4.0.
