Pronoun
/ˈe.los/
The term "ellos" is a third-person plural pronoun used in Spanish to refer to a group of people or objects that are either all male or a mixed-gender group. It is primarily used in both oral and written contexts, although it may appear more frequently in spoken communication. "Ellos" is an essential pronoun for constructing sentences in Spanish and is used extensively across various registers and contexts.
"Ellos" is a commonly used pronoun in the Spanish language, found in everyday conversations and literary texts alike.
Ellos están felices con los resultados.
They are happy with the results.
¿Ellos vienen a la fiesta esta noche?
Are they coming to the party tonight?
Ellos siempre ayudan a los demás.
They always help others.
While "ellos" itself is not typically involved in idiomatic expressions, it can be part of phrases or sentences where the context becomes more colorful or vivid. Here are a few examples:
Ellos no tienen pelos en la lengua.
They don't mince their words. (Meaning: They speak their mind bluntly.)
Ellos están en las nubes.
They are daydreaming. (Meaning: They are not paying attention to reality.)
Ellos son como perros y gatos.
They are like cats and dogs. (Meaning: They always quarrel or fight.)
Ellos hacen de tripas corazón.
They make a brave face despite difficulties. (Meaning: They try to be strong in tough situations.)
Ellos están en la cuerda floja.
They are on thin ice. (Meaning: They are in a precarious situation.)
The pronoun "ellos" has its roots in Latin. It comes from the Latin pronouns "illi" (those) which evolved into "ellos" in modern Spanish through the influence of phonetic changes and language simplifications over time.
Overall, "ellos" is a fundamental component of plural reference in the Spanish language, allowing speakers to denote third-person groups distinctly.