They Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿ‘ฅ
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they

[รฐeษช ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Pronoun

used to refer to two or more people or things previously mentioned or easily identified.

Used to refer to two or more people or things previously mentioned or easily identified. It is used as the subject of a verb. It is used to emphasize a particular quality. It is used to introduce a further and stronger or more surprising point.

Examples of usage

  • They are my friends.
  • They were happy to see you.
  • They really love each other.
  • They looked stunning in their outfits.
  • They always make me laugh.
Context #2 | Noun

people in general.

People in general. It is used to refer to a group of people as an entity. It is used to represent humanity as a whole. It is used to emphasize the shared characteristics or behavior of individuals.

Examples of usage

  • They say laughter is the best medicine.
  • They can achieve great things when they work together.
  • They are the future of our society.
  • They deserve to be treated with respect.
  • They have the power to change the world.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Linguistics

  • 'They' is often used as a singular pronoun when a person's gender is unknown or irrelevant, promoting inclusion.
  • The use of 'they' to refer to one person has gained mainstream acceptance, addressing diversity in gender identities.
  • In English, 'they' can function as both a subject and an object in a sentence, e.g., 'They are' and 'I saw them.'

Cultural Significance

  • The rise of non-binary identities has brought 'they' into a spotlight, making it a symbol of gender inclusivity.
  • Many social movements advocate for the use of 'they' as a way to respect individuals' identities and pronouns.
  • 'They' can empower voices in non-traditional gender contexts, fostering a sense of belonging and acceptance.

Psychology

  • Using 'they' can contribute to a sense of community in language, reinforcing connections among people.
  • Language inclusive of diverse identities mirrors societal changes and impacts personal identity formation.
  • The flexibility of 'they' in language aligns with cognitive processes that recognize and adapt to diversity.

Literature

  • In literature, the use of 'they' allows for broader representation, letting writers express varied perspectives.
  • Modern authors utilize 'they' to reflect complex characters whose identities challenge traditional norms.
  • Classic literature often focused on gender binaries, but contemporary works increasingly highlight fluid identities through pronouns.

Origin of 'they'

Main points about word origin

  • 'They' has roots in Old Norse, coming from the word 'รพeir,' which also referred to a group of people.
  • In Middle English, 'they' started to replace the more formal usage of 'ye' or 'you' when addressing multiple people.
  • 'They' has evolved over centuries to become a standard pronoun in English for referring to groups.

The word 'they' originated from Old Norse and Old English. In Old Norse, the word 'their' was 'รพeirra', which evolved into 'they'. In Old English, the word was 'รฐa'. Over time, the word 'they' became widely used in Middle English and has remained a fundamental part of the English language to this day. 'They' has evolved to be inclusive of all genders and has become a standard pronoun for referring to multiple people or as a gender-neutral pronoun.


Word Frequency Rank

At rank #18, this is one of the most fundamental words in English. It's absolutely essential to master this word as it forms the backbone of English communication and appears in almost every conversation or text.