Usage note
他们用来指代多个男性或男女混合的群体。
tāmen láiyòng zhǐdài duōgè nánrén huò nánfùnǚ héhé de qúnzhú。
They are used to refer to multiple males or a mixed group of males and females.
Context note
他们常用于描述家庭成员、朋友或同事等群体。
tāmen cháng yòng yú míngsù jiātíng chénpín, péngyǒu huò tóngshì děng qúnzhú。
They are commonly used to describe family members, friends, or colleagues, etc.
5 examples
他们是一家人。
tā men shì yì jiā rén。
They are a family.
他们在公园里玩。
tā men zài gōng yuán lǐ wán。
They play in the park.
他们是好朋友。
tā men shì hǎo péng yǒu。
They are good friends.
他们一起去上学。
tā men yì qǐ qù shàng xué。
They go to school together.
他们在同一个班。
tā men zài tóng yí gè bān。
They are in the same class.
5 mini stories
妈妈说，他们是好朋友。爸爸也同意。
mā ma shuō， tā men shì hǎo péng yǒu。 bà ba yě tóng yì。
Mom said they were good friends, and Dad agreed.
他们在公园里玩得很开心。他们一起踢足球。
tā men zài gōng yuán lǐ wán dé hěn kāi xīn。 tā men yì qǐ tī zú qiú。
They had a lot of fun playing in the park. They played soccer together.
他们是邻居，经常互相帮助。
tā men shì lín jū， jīng cháng hù xiāng bāng zhù。
They are neighbors and often help each other.
他们在学校里学习很多知识。他们都很努力。
tā men zài xué xiào lǐ xué xí hěn duō zhī shi。 tā men dōu hěn nǔ lì。
They learn a lot of knowledge at school. They all work hard.
他们是亲戚，每年都会聚在一起吃饭。
tā men shì qīn qi， měi nián dōu huì jù zài yì qǐ chī fàn。
They are relatives and always get together to have meals every year.
Mini dialogue
我的朋友
A
他们是谁？
Tāmen shì shéi?
Who are they?
B
他们是我的同学。
Tāmen shì wǒ de tóngxué.
They are my classmates.
踢足球
A
他们在做什么？
Tāmen zài zuò shénme?
What are they doing?
B
他们在操场上踢足球。
Tāmen zài cāochǎng shàng tī zúqiú.
They are playing football on the playground.
Related words and contrasts
related
他
tā
he, him
他 is singular; 他们 is plural for males or a mixed group.
contrast
她们
tāmen
they, them (female group)
他们 is for males or mixed groups; 她们 is for a group of all females.
contrast
它们
tāmen
they, them (animals or objects)
他们 is for people; 它们 is for animals and things.