他们 (tā men) — they; them | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

Plural 'they/them' for a mixed-gender group or an all-male group. For all-female groups use 她们; for things use 它们.

pronoun

theythem

Easily confused

Derived word

构词法gòucífǎ

后缀hòuzhuìSuffix

A fixed syllable at the end that turns the word into a noun, a person, a place or the like.

他 refers to people, and 们 shows the plural.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

亻也他

Meaning part形符xíngfú

亻Written in full as人rénman

Sound part声符shēngfú

也

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

他 combines 亻 (a person) with 也, which was chosen for its sound.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 們; 们 is its simplified writing.

亻門們

Meaning part形符xíngfú

亻Written in full as人rénperson

Sound part声符shēngfú

門

門mén們men

Same sound today

The traditional form 們 uses 亻 for a person and 門 for the sound; the simplified 们 is a later shorthand.

Appears in