French · Greetings & Essentials
"They" in French: ils
ils
Note: all female: elles
They in French is ils for masculine or mixed groups and elles for all-female groups. Ils sont là means they are here. Liaison can add a z: ils ont → eel-zon.
Friends arriving
Ils arrivent dans dix minutes.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce ils
Say it
eel / el
/il/ /ɛl/
Ils: eel (s silent alone). Elles: el. Before a vowel, Ils ont sounds like eel-zon.
"They" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| ils | they (masc./mixed) Default for mixed groups. | Default for mixed groups. |
| elles | they (all female) Feminine group. | Feminine group. |
| ils sont | they are With être. | With être. |
| ils ont | they have With avoir (liaison). | With avoir (liaison). |
How to use ils in real life
- 1Friends arriving
Ils arrivent dans dix minutes.
They're arriving in ten minutes.
Ils arrivent.
- 2Neighbors
Ils ont déménagé en juillet.
They moved in July.
Ils ont.
- 3Team
Ils préfèrent travailler le matin.
They prefer to work in the morning.
Ils préfèrent.
Mistakes English speakers make with ils
Incorrect: Ils est fatigués.
Correct: Ils sont fatigués.
Plural être is sont, not est.
Incorrect: They sont là.
Correct: Ils sont là. / Elles sont là.
Use ils or elles, not English they.
Good to know
A mixed group of friends is ils, even with more women — traditional grammar. Some speakers innovate, but learners should master ils / elles first.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Waiting for classmates
ChatPal
Ils sont déjà dans la salle ?
Are they already in the room?
You
Non, ils sont encore dans le couloir.
No, they're still in the hallway.
ChatPal
On les appelle.
We'll call them.
You
D'accord, j'y vais.
Okay, I'm going.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"They" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "They" in French
How do you say they in French?
Ils (masc./mixed) or elles (all female).
Which for a mixed group?
Ils.
How do you say they are?
Ils sont / elles sont.
Why do I hear a z in ils ont?
Liaison: ils ont → eel-zon.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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