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A1 pronoun #500 am häufigsten 11 Min. Lesezeit

ellas

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At the A1 level, 'ellas' is one of the first pronouns you learn. It is essential for basic communication. You use it to identify groups of women or girls. For example, 'Ellas son mis amigas' (They are my friends). At this stage, the focus is on recognizing that 'ellas' is plural and feminine, and that it goes with verbs ending in -an or -en. You will use it in simple descriptions of family, friends, and classmates. It is important to remember that 'ellas' is only for all-female groups. If you see a group of women, you use 'ellas'. If you see a group of men, you use 'ellos'. If you see a mix, you also use 'ellos'. This is a basic rule that helps you build a strong foundation in Spanish gender agreement.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'ellas' in more complex ways, such as with reflexive verbs and in different tenses like the preterite and the imperfect. You might say 'Ellas se levantaron temprano' (They got up early) or 'Ellas vivían en Madrid' (They used to live in Madrid). You also start using 'ellas' after prepositions like 'con' (with), 'para' (for), and 'de' (of/from). For example, 'Este regalo es para ellas' (This gift is for them). You are also expected to ensure that adjectives agree with 'ellas' consistently. For instance, 'Ellas están cansadas' (They are tired). This level focuses on the practical application of the pronoun in daily routines and past experiences.

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At the B1 level, you use 'ellas' to tell stories and express opinions. You will use it in the subjunctive mood, which is a major step in Spanish proficiency. For example, 'Espero que ellas vengan a la fiesta' (I hope they come to the party). You also use 'ellas' in more nuanced social contexts, such as discussing social roles or historical figures. You might compare groups: 'Ellas prefieren la música clásica, mientras que ellos prefieren el rock'. At this stage, you should be comfortable dropping the pronoun when it is clear from the context, using 'ellas' only for emphasis or clarity. You also begin to understand how 'ellas' fits into the broader system of object pronouns (las, les).

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At the B2 level, 'ellas' is used fluently in academic and professional discussions. You can use it to refer to abstract groups of women in sociological or political contexts. You might use it in complex conditional sentences: 'Si ellas hubieran sabido la verdad, habrían actuado de otra manera' (If they had known the truth, they would have acted differently). You are also aware of the stylistic choices involved in using or omitting the pronoun. You can handle 'ellas' in passive voice constructions and with relative clauses: 'Las mujeres, de las cuales ellas son representantes, buscan justicia'. Your understanding of gender agreement is now automatic, even with complex adjectives and compound tenses.

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At the C1 level, you use 'ellas' with a high degree of precision and stylistic flair. You understand the historical and etymological roots of the word (from Latin 'illae') and how it has evolved. You can use 'ellas' in literary analysis or high-level debate. You are also sensitive to the sociolinguistic implications of gendered language and can navigate the debate between 'ellas', 'ellos', and the inclusive 'elles' with ease. You use 'ellas' to create specific rhetorical effects, such as using it at the beginning of several sentences for emphasis (anaphora). Your use of the pronoun is indistinguishable from that of a native speaker, including the subtle use of 'ellas' for personification in poetry or prose.

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At the C2 level, your mastery of 'ellas' is absolute. You can use it in any context, from the most archaic legal documents to the most modern slang. You understand the regional variations in how 'ellas' is pronounced and used across the Spanish-speaking world. You can discuss the philosophical implications of the gendered pronoun system in Romance languages. You might use 'ellas' in highly sophisticated ways, such as in 'recapitulative' pronouns or in complex structures involving 'lo que' or 'quienes'. You are also able to translate 'ellas' into English in ways that capture its specific gendered nuance, which is often lost in a simple 'they'. Your command of the word reflects a deep immersion in the language and its cultural history.

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ellas in 30 Sekunden

Ellas is the Spanish pronoun for 'they' when referring to an all-female group.
It is a third-person plural pronoun that requires feminine plural adjective agreement.
It can be used as a subject or after a preposition like 'con' or 'para'.
If a group has even one male, you must use 'ellos' instead of 'ellas'.

The Spanish word ellas is the third-person plural feminine pronoun, equivalent to the English word 'they' when referring exclusively to a group of females. In the intricate tapestry of Spanish grammar, gender is not merely a biological descriptor but a fundamental linguistic category that dictates the form of pronouns, nouns, and adjectives. Understanding ellas requires a departure from the gender-neutrality of the English 'they'. While English speakers use 'they' for a group of men, a group of women, or a mixed group, Spanish speakers must make a conscious distinction based on the composition of the group being discussed.

Grammatical Classification: As a personal pronoun, ellas functions as the subject of a sentence or as the object of a preposition. It is used to replace a noun phrase that refers to two or more females, thereby avoiding repetitive naming of the subjects. For example, instead of saying 'María and Ana are here', one would say 'Ellas are here'.
The Rule of Exclusion: The most critical aspect of using ellas is that it is strictly reserved for groups composed entirely of feminine entities. If a group consists of ninety-nine women and just one man, the pronoun immediately shifts to the masculine ellos. This 'masculine as default' rule is a core feature of traditional Spanish grammar, making ellas a specific marker for female-only collectives.
Syntactic Role: Beyond its role as a subject, ellas is used after prepositions. Phrases like 'con ellas' (with them), 'para ellas' (for them), and 'por ellas' (because of them/for their sake) are common. Unlike the singular 'ella', which changes to 'mí' or 'ti' after certain prepositions, ellas remains stable in its form.

Mis hermanas están en el jardín; ellas están jugando al fútbol.

Translation: My sisters are in the garden; they are playing soccer.

The word is also essential for maintaining agreement across the sentence. When ellas is the subject, any following adjectives or past participles must also be in the feminine plural form. For instance, 'Ellas son simpáticas' (They are nice) uses the '-as' ending to match the gender and number of the pronoun. This consistency is what gives Spanish its rhythmic and predictable structure. In the modern era, the debate over gender-neutral language has introduced 'elles' as an alternative for non-binary groups, but ellas remains the standard for female groups in all formal and most informal contexts. Its frequency in daily conversation is high, as it covers half of the human population when grouped together.

Las científicas presentaron su informe; ellas han descubierto una nueva especie.

¿Ves a esas niñas? Ellas son las mejores de la clase.

Compré flores para ellas porque es su cumpleaños.

Using ellas correctly involves more than just knowing its translation. It requires an understanding of Spanish sentence structure, particularly the concept of 'pro-drop' (pronoun dropping) and the necessity of gender agreement. Because Spanish verb endings often indicate the subject, the pronoun ellas is frequently omitted unless the speaker wants to provide emphasis, clarify who is being talked about, or contrast one group with another. For example, 'Cantan bien' (They sing well) is perfectly grammatical, but 'Ellas cantan bien' might be used to specify that it is the women, not the men, who have good voices.

Subject-Verb Agreement: When ellas is the subject, the verb must be conjugated in the third-person plural. In the present tense, this usually ends in -an or -en. For example: Ellas hablan (They speak), ellas comen (They eat), ellas viven (They live). This rule applies across all tenses, from the preterite (ellas hablaron) to the future (ellas hablarán).
Adjective Agreement: Any adjective describing ellas must be feminine and plural. This means most adjectives will end in -as. Example: 'Ellas son altas y delgadas' (They are tall and thin). If an adjective ends in -e or a consonant, you simply add -s or -es, but the inherent gender of the pronoun still dictates the context. Example: 'Ellas son inteligentes'.
Prepositional Use: When following a preposition, ellas functions as the object. Common examples include: 'Cerca de ellas' (Near them), 'Sin ellas' (Without them), 'Según ellas' (According to them). This is one of the easiest parts of Spanish grammar for English speakers because the form of the pronoun does not change like it does with 'I' becoming 'me'.

¿Dónde están las llaves? Ellas las tienen.

Note: Here 'ellas' refers to a group of women who have the keys.

In more advanced usage, ellas can be used in passive constructions or with the 'se' impersonal, though it is less common. It is also vital in the formation of the 'estar + gerund' progressive tense: 'Ellas están estudiando' (They are studying). When dealing with reflexive verbs, the pronoun se is used alongside ellas: 'Ellas se lavan las manos' (They wash their hands). The versatility of ellas makes it a foundational element for any student aiming for fluency, as it appears in almost every communicative context involving people.

A ellas les gusta viajar por Europa en verano.

Todo el proyecto depende de ellas y su dedicación.

The word ellas is ubiquitous in the Spanish-speaking world, from the bustling streets of Madrid to the vibrant markets of Mexico City. You will hear it in various social strata and contexts. In a family setting, a parent might use ellas to refer to their daughters: 'Mis hijas son muy aplicadas; ellas siempre hacen la tarea'. In a professional environment, a manager might refer to a team of female engineers or executives using the pronoun to highlight their specific contributions. The word carries a sense of collective identity that is very strong in Hispanic cultures, where group dynamics are often emphasized over individual ones.

In Media and News: News anchors frequently use ellas when reporting on women's sports, political movements led by women (like the 'Madres de Plaza de Mayo'), or social issues affecting women. It provides a clear, gendered subject that keeps the narrative focused on the specific group being discussed.
In Music and Literature: Spanish lyrics are filled with ellas. Whether it's a bolero talking about 'ellas' (the women who have left a mark on the singer's heart) or a modern reggaeton track celebrating the independence of women, the pronoun is a rhythmic and thematic staple. In literature, authors use ellas to create a distinct female space within the narrative.
In Everyday Gossip and Storytelling: Spanish speakers are known for their expressive storytelling. When recounting an event involving a group of female friends, ellas is used repeatedly to keep the listeners engaged in the 'who' of the story. 'Entonces ellas me dijeron que no podían venir...' (Then they told me they couldn't come...).

En la reunión de ayer, ellas tomaron las decisiones más importantes.

Furthermore, in the context of the growing feminist movements across Latin America (such as 'Ni Una Menos'), ellas has taken on a political weight. It represents a collective 'they' that demands rights and visibility. When you hear ellas in a protest chant or a manifesto, it is not just a pronoun; it is a symbol of a united front. Conversely, in very traditional settings, you might hear older generations use ellas to refer to 'the women' of the house in a way that delineates traditional social roles. Regardless of the context, the word is a vital tool for navigating the social landscape of the Spanish-speaking world, reflecting both its traditional roots and its modern transformations.

Las jugadoras de la selección son increíbles; ellas inspiran a todo el país.

For English speakers, the most common mistake when using ellas is failing to recognize the strict gender requirement. In English, 'they' is a catch-all. In Spanish, using ellas when there is even one male in the group is grammatically incorrect according to the Real Academia Española (RAE). This requires a mental shift: you must always scan the group you are referring to for its gender composition before choosing your pronoun. If you see five women and a small boy, you must use ellos.

The 'Mixed Group' Trap: Learners often default to ellas if the majority of the group is female. This is a logical mistake but a grammatical error in Spanish. Remember: 100% female = ellas. 99% female + 1% male = ellos. This is often frustrating for students who find the rule sexist, but it remains the standard.
Adjective Mismatch: Another frequent error is using ellas as the subject but forgetting to change the adjective to the feminine plural. A student might say 'Ellas son contentos' instead of 'Ellas son contentas'. This 'gender clash' sounds very jarring to native ears and is a clear sign of a beginner level.
Overusing the Pronoun: Because English requires a subject pronoun in every sentence ('They go', 'They see'), learners tend to use ellas in every sentence. In Spanish, this sounds repetitive and unnatural. Once the subject is established, you should drop the pronoun and let the verb conjugation do the work.

Ellas son médicos. Ellas son médicas.

Correction: Occupations must also agree in gender and number.

Additionally, some learners confuse ellas with ella (she) or ellos (they-masculine). While the difference is only one or two letters, the grammatical implications are huge. Confusing ellas with ella will lead to incorrect verb conjugations (singular vs. plural), and confusing it with ellos will misgender the group. To avoid these mistakes, practice 'visualizing' the group: if you see a group of women, think ellas immediately. Another subtle mistake is with the word 'people' (la gente). In Spanish, 'la gente' is singular, so you cannot use ellas to refer back to it; you must use 'ella' or simply 'la gente' again, even though it refers to many people.

While ellas is the primary pronoun for a female group, there are several alternatives and related words that a learner should be aware of to sound more natural and to navigate different social contexts. Depending on the level of formality or the specific group being addressed, you might choose a different way to refer to 'them'.

Ellas vs. Nosotras: Nosotras means 'we' (feminine). The difference is the inclusion of the speaker. If you are a woman and part of the group, you use nosotras. If you are talking about a group you are not part of, you use ellas.
Ellas vs. Vosotras / Ustedes: In Spain, vosotras is used to say 'you all' to a group of women informally. In Latin America, ustedes is used for 'you all' regardless of gender or formality. Ellas is only for 'they' (talking about them, not to them).
Elles (Inclusive Language): A modern and somewhat controversial alternative is elles. This is used by younger generations and activists to refer to non-binary people or mixed groups in a gender-neutral way. While not officially recognized by the RAE, you will encounter it in social media and progressive circles.

No hables de ellas, habla con ustedes.

Meaning: Don't talk about them (the women), talk with you all.

In formal writing, you might see dichas mujeres (said women) or las mismas (the same ones) to refer back to a previously mentioned group of females. These are more academic or legalistic and should be used sparingly in conversation. Another interesting comparison is with aquellas (those ones over there). While ellas is a personal pronoun, aquellas is a demonstrative pronoun that implies physical or emotional distance. Choosing between ellas and aquellas can change the tone of your sentence from a simple statement of fact to a more descriptive or distant observation. Mastering these nuances is what separates a basic learner from a fluent speaker.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

In Old Spanish, the pronoun was sometimes written as 'ellas' or 'ellas' but the pronunciation has remained remarkably stable compared to other pronouns.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /ˈeʎas/

US /ˈeʝas/

The stress is on the first syllable: E-llas.

Reimt sich auf

bellas estrellas huellas centellas botellas doncellas grosellas aquellas

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing 'll' as an English 'l'.
Pronouncing 'e' as a long 'ee' sound.
Aspirating the 's' too much in formal speech.
Failing to stress the first syllable.
Pronouncing the 'a' like the 'a' in 'cat'.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 1/5

Very easy to recognize in text.

Schreiben 2/5

Requires remembering the 's' and adjective agreement.

Sprechen 2/5

Need to quickly identify group gender before speaking.

Hören 2/5

Final 's' can be soft in some dialects.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

ella él ellos yo tú

Als Nächstes lernen

nosotras vosotras ustedes las unas

Fortgeschritten

elles nosotros vosotros los unos

Wichtige Grammatik

Gender Agreement

Ellas son bonit**as**.

Number Agreement

Ellas com**en**.

Pro-drop

(Ellas) Son inteligentes.

Prepositional Objects

Para ellas.

Indirect Object Clarification

A ellas les gusta.

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Beispiele nach Niveau

Ellas son mis hermanas.

They (fem) are my sisters.

Subject pronoun 'ellas' matches the feminine plural noun 'hermanas'.

¿Quiénes son ellas?

Who are they (fem)?

Interrogative sentence using 'ellas' to ask about a female group.

Ellas hablan español.

They (fem) speak Spanish.

The verb 'hablan' is the 3rd person plural form for 'ellas'.

Ellas están en la escuela.

They (fem) are at school.

Use of 'estar' for location with the pronoun 'ellas'.

Ellas son muy simpáticas.

They (fem) are very nice.

The adjective 'simpáticas' must be feminine and plural to match 'ellas'.

A ellas les gusta el chocolate.

They (fem) like chocolate.

Use of 'a ellas' to clarify the indirect object in a 'gustar' construction.

Ellas tienen un perro.

They (fem) have a dog.

The verb 'tienen' (to have) conjugated for 'ellas'.

Ellas viven en Madrid.

They (fem) live in Madrid.

Present tense of 'vivir' for the third person plural.

Ellas se levantaron a las ocho.

They (fem) got up at eight.

Reflexive verb 'levantarse' in the preterite tense with 'ellas'.

Fui al cine con ellas.

I went to the cinema with them (fem).

'Ellas' used as the object of the preposition 'con'.

Ellas estaban estudiando ayer.

They (fem) were studying yesterday.

Past progressive tense using 'estar' in imperfect and the gerund.

Ellas son más altas que yo.

They (fem) are taller than me.

Comparative structure with the feminine plural adjective 'altas'.

Ellas me llamaron por teléfono.

They (fem) called me on the phone.

Preterite tense of 'llamar' with a direct object pronoun 'me'.

Ellas trajeron la comida.

They (fem) brought the food.

Irregular preterite 'trajeron' conjugated for 'ellas'.

Ellas no quieren ir a la playa.

They (fem) don't want to go to the beach.

Negative sentence with the verb 'querer' in the present tense.

Este libro es de ellas.

This book is theirs (fem).

Possession indicated by 'de' followed by the pronoun 'ellas'.

Dudo que ellas lleguen a tiempo.

I doubt that they (fem) will arrive on time.

Use of the present subjunctive 'lleguen' after a verb of doubt.

Ellas se conocen desde niñas.

They (fem) have known each other since they were children.

Reciprocal reflexive use of 'conocerse'.

Ellas siempre me apoyan en todo.

They (fem) always support me in everything.

Adverb 'siempre' placed before the verb conjugated for 'ellas'.

Ellas han viajado por todo el mundo.

They (fem) have traveled all over the world.

Present perfect tense 'han viajado' with the subject 'ellas'.

A ellas les importa mucho el medio ambiente.

The environment matters a lot to them (fem).

Verb 'importar' used like 'gustar' with 'a ellas' for clarity.

Ellas se visten con mucha elegancia.

They (fem) dress with great elegance.

Reflexive verb 'vestirse' with an e-to-i stem change in the present tense.

Ellas decidieron comprar la casa.

They (fem) decided to buy the house.

Preterite tense of 'decidir' followed by an infinitive.

Ellas se lo dijeron a su madre.

They (fem) told it to their mother.

Double object pronouns 'se lo' used with the subject 'ellas'.

Si ellas pudieran, vendrían mañana.

If they (fem) could, they would come tomorrow.

Conditional sentence using the imperfect subjunctive 'pudieran' and the conditional 'vendrían'.

Ellas son las que ganaron el premio.

They (fem) are the ones who won the prize.

Relative clause 'las que' referring back to 'ellas'.

A pesar de todo, ellas mantuvieron la calma.

Despite everything, they (fem) kept their calm.

Concessive phrase 'a pesar de' followed by the preterite of 'mantener'.

Ellas se han esforzado mucho este semestre.

They (fem) have made a great effort this semester.

Reflexive present perfect 'se han esforzado'.

Ellas no solo son inteligentes, sino también valientes.

They (fem) are not only intelligent, but also brave.

Correlative conjunction 'no solo... sino también' with matching adjectives.

Ellas se encargan de la gestión del proyecto.

They (fem) are in charge of the project management.

Reflexive verb 'encargarse de' meaning 'to be in charge of'.

Es increíble que ellas hayan logrado tanto.

It is incredible that they (fem) have achieved so much.

Present perfect subjunctive 'hayan logrado' after an impersonal expression of emotion.

Ellas se sienten orgullosas de su trabajo.

They (fem) feel proud of their work.

Reflexive verb 'sentirse' with the adjective 'orgullosas'.

Ellas, cuya labor es fundamental, merecen un reconocimiento.

They (fem), whose work is fundamental, deserve recognition.

Relative pronoun 'cuya' agreeing with the feminine singular 'labor', referring to 'ellas'.

No cabe duda de que ellas marcarán un hito en la historia.

There is no doubt that they (fem) will mark a milestone in history.

Future tense 'marcarán' used in a formal expression of certainty.

Ellas se han visto obligadas a tomar medidas drásticas.

They (fem) have been forced to take drastic measures.

Passive-like reflexive construction 'se han visto obligadas'.

Fue por ellas que decidí cambiar mi vida.

It was because of them (fem) that I decided to change my life.

Cleft sentence emphasizing the cause 'por ellas'.

Ellas encarnan los valores de nuestra institución.

They (fem) embody the values of our institution.

Formal verb 'encarnar' (to embody) with the subject 'ellas'.

Por mucho que ellas lo intenten, no podrán convencerme.

No matter how much they (fem) try, they won't be able to convince me.

Concessive structure 'por mucho que' followed by the subjunctive 'intenten'.

Ellas se desviven por el bienestar de sus hijos.

They (fem) go out of their way for the well-being of their children.

Idiomatic reflexive verb 'desvivirse por' meaning 'to do one's utmost for'.

Ellas son, en definitiva, las verdaderas protagonistas.

They (fem) are, ultimately, the true protagonists.

Parenthetical expression 'en definitiva' used for emphasis.

Ellas, en su infinita sabiduría, supieron guiar al pueblo.

They (fem), in their infinite wisdom, knew how to lead the people.

Literary use of 'ellas' with an appositive phrase and the preterite of 'saber'.

La historia, tal como ellas la vivieron, difiere de la oficial.

History, as they (fem) lived it, differs from the official one.

Complex sentence structure with a comparative clause 'tal como'.

Ellas se yerguen como símbolos de resistencia ante la opresión.

They (fem) stand tall as symbols of resistance against oppression.

Formal reflexive verb 'erguirse' (to stand tall) with a stem change.

No es sino a través de ellas que comprendemos la magnitud del cambio.

It is only through them (fem) that we understand the magnitude of the change.

Negative-restrictive structure 'no es sino... que' emphasizing 'ellas'.

Ellas han sabido amalgamar tradición y modernidad con maestría.

They (fem) have known how to amalgamate tradition and modernity with mastery.

Sophisticated vocabulary 'amalgamar' and 'maestría' with 'ellas'.

Cualquiera que sea su decisión, ellas contarán con mi apoyo.

Whatever their decision may be, they (fem) will have my support.

Subjunctive clause 'cualquiera que sea' followed by the future tense 'contarán'.

Ellas se postulan como las candidatas idóneas para el cargo.

They (fem) present themselves as the ideal candidates for the position.

Reflexive verb 'postularse' with the feminine plural adjective 'idóneas'.

A ellas se les atribuye el descubrimiento de la cura.

The discovery of the cure is attributed to them (fem).

Impersonal 'se' construction with 'a ellas' as the indirect object.

Synonyme

las chicas las mujeres las damas las presentes aquellas esas estas elles

Gegenteile

ellos nosotras vosotras ustedes

Häufige Kollokationen

Entre ellas

Todas ellas

Para ellas

Con ellas

Según ellas

Sin ellas

A ellas les...

Por ellas

Hacia ellas

Contra ellas

Häufige Phrasen

Ellas mismas

— They themselves (feminine). Used for emphasis.

Ellas mismas arreglaron el coche.

Cosas de ellas

— Their business / Women's things. Often used to dismiss a topic.

No preguntes, son cosas de ellas.

Como ellas

— Like them (feminine). Used for comparison.

Quiero ser fuerte como ellas.

Solo ellas

— Only them (feminine). Used for exclusivity.

Solo ellas saben el secreto.

Una de ellas

— One of them (feminine).

Una de ellas es mi prima.

Algunas de ellas

— Some of them (feminine).

Algunas de ellas ya se fueron.

Ninguna de ellas

— None of them (feminine).

Ninguna de ellas quiso hablar.

Muchas de ellas

— Many of them (feminine).

Muchas de ellas son voluntarias.

La mayoría de ellas

— The majority of them (feminine).

La mayoría de ellas prefiere el té.

Cualquiera de ellas

— Any of them (feminine).

Cualquiera de ellas puede ayudarte.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

ellas vs ella

Singular vs. Plural. 'Ella' is one, 'Ellas' is many.

ellas vs ellos

Feminine vs. Masculine/Mixed. 'Ellas' is only for females.

ellas vs ellas (the name)

Rarely confused, but 'Ella' is a name in English.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"Hablar de ellas"

— To talk about women in a general or gossipy way.

Siempre está hablando de ellas.

informal

"Por ellas"

— A toast dedicated to women.

¡Un brindis por ellas!

neutral

"Ellas se lo guisan, ellas se lo comen"

— They do everything themselves without help (often with a hint of self-sufficiency).

No aceptan ayuda; ellas se lo guisan, ellas se lo comen.

informal

"Cosas de ellas"

— Stereotypical female behavior or private matters.

Están riendo por algo, cosas de ellas.

informal

"Entre ellas se entienden"

— They understand each other (implying a secret or specific bond).

No sé de qué hablan, pero entre ellas se entienden.

neutral

"Ellas mandan"

— They are in charge (often said of women in a household).

En esta casa, ellas mandan.

informal

"Irse con ellas"

— To join the women's group.

Mi hermana se fue con ellas al parque.

neutral

"Ponerse en el lugar de ellas"

— To put oneself in their (women's) shoes.

Debes ponerte en el lugar de ellas para entenderlo.

neutral

"Dar la cara por ellas"

— To stand up for them (the women).

Él siempre da la cara por ellas.

neutral

"Hacerse una con ellas"

— To become one with them (to integrate into the group).

Se hizo una con ellas rápidamente.

literary

Leicht verwechselbar

ellas vs ella

Similar spelling.

'Ella' is singular (she), 'Ellas' is plural (they-fem).

Ella es mi madre; ellas son mis tías.

ellas vs ellos

Both mean 'they'.

'Ellos' is masculine or mixed; 'Ellas' is strictly feminine.

Ellos son mis hermanos; ellas son mis hermanas.

ellas vs las

Both refer to feminine plural.

'Ellas' is a subject pronoun; 'las' is a direct object pronoun or article.

Ellas las compraron (They bought them).

ellas vs les

Both refer to plural.

'Ellas' is a subject; 'les' is an indirect object pronoun.

Ellas les dieron el libro (They gave the book to them).

ellas vs aquellas

Both can mean 'they/those'.

'Ellas' is personal; 'aquellas' is demonstrative (implies distance).

Ellas están aquí; aquellas están allá.

Satzmuster

Ellas son + [noun]

Ellas son profesoras.

Ellas + [verb in -an/-en]

Ellas bailan.

Con + ellas

Hablo con ellas.

Ellas están + [adjective]

Ellas están cansadas.

A ellas les + [verb]

A ellas les encanta el cine.

Espero que ellas + [subjunctive]

Espero que ellas vengan.

Ellas se + [reflexive verb]

Ellas se divierten mucho.

Ellas, quienes + [verb]

Ellas, quienes trabajan duro, tendrán éxito.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

ella (she)

Verwandt

ellos

nosotras

vosotras

ustedes

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So verwendest du es

frequency

Very high. It is one of the top 100 most used words in Spanish.

Häufige Fehler

Using 'ellas' for a mixed group. → Ellos
Spanish uses the masculine plural as the default for mixed-gender groups.
Ellas son simpático. → Ellas son simpáticas.
Adjectives must agree in gender (feminine) and number (plural) with the pronoun.
Ella son mis amigas. → Ellas son mis amigas.
You cannot use the singular pronoun 'ella' with a plural verb and noun.
Hablo con las. → Hablo con ellas.
You must use the pronoun 'ellas' after a preposition, not the article 'las'.
Ellas gusta el cine. → A ellas les gusta el cine.
Verbs like 'gustar' require the indirect object construction with 'a' and 'les'.

Tipps

Agreement is Key

Always make sure your adjectives end in -as when using 'ellas'. 'Ellas son simpáticas' is correct; 'Ellas son simpáticos' is wrong.

Don't Overuse It

Native speakers drop pronouns often. Use 'ellas' once to establish who you are talking about, then just use the verb.

Group Dynamics

In Hispanic cultures, referring to 'ellas' (the women of the family) often implies a strong social unit.

Listen for the 'll'

The 'll' sound varies by region. Practice listening to different accents to recognize 'ellas' everywhere.

Subject vs Object

Remember that 'ellas' doesn't change after prepositions. It's 'para ellas', not 'para las'.

Synonym Use

Use 'las chicas' or 'las mujeres' to sound more descriptive and less repetitive than just using 'ellas'.

The 'S' Rule

Think of the 's' in 'ellas' as standing for 'Squad' or 'Sisters' to remember it's plural.

Stress the 'E'

The stress is on the first syllable. Say 'EH-yas', not 'eh-YAS'.

The 100% Rule

Only use 'ellas' if the group is 100% female. One male changes everything to 'ellos'.

Inclusive Language

Be aware of 'elles' in modern contexts, but use 'ellas' for traditional feminine groups.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of 'Ella' (the name) and add an 's' for 'Sisters'. Ellas = Ella + Sisters (They-fem).

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a group of girls pointing at themselves. The word 'ellas' starts with 'e', just like 'elegant'—think of a group of elegant women.

Word Web

ella ellos nosotras vosotras ustedes las una unas

Herausforderung

Try to describe three famous women using only sentences that start with 'Ellas'.

Wortherkunft

From the Latin 'illae', which is the nominative feminine plural of 'ille' (that one). Over centuries, the 'i' was lost and the 'll' became the standard spelling in Spanish.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: Those women / Those things (feminine).

Indo-European > Italic > Romance > Ibero-Romance > Spanish.

Kultureller Kontext

Be careful with the 'masculine as default' rule; while grammatically correct, some modern speakers prefer more inclusive language like 'las personas' or 'elles'.

English speakers often struggle because 'they' is gender-neutral. It takes practice to remember to check the gender of the group.

'Ellas' - A famous song by various Latin artists. 'Ellas son así' - A popular Spanish TV show. 'A todas ellas' - A common dedication in books and films.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Family

Ellas son mis tías.
Voy con ellas.
Ellas viven lejos.
Hablo con ellas.

School

Ellas son estudiantes.
Ellas estudian mucho.
Ellas están en clase.
Ellas tienen libros.

Work

Ellas son mis colegas.
Ellas trabajan aquí.
Ellas hicieron el informe.
Ellas están en la reunión.

Sports

Ellas ganaron el partido.
Ellas corren rápido.
Ellas son el equipo.
Ellas entrenan duro.

Social

Ellas son mis amigas.
Ellas vienen a la fiesta.
Ellas bailan muy bien.
Ellas están felices.

Gesprächseinstiege

"¿Sabes dónde están ellas ahora?"

"¿Qué piensan ellas sobre este tema?"

"¿Has hablado con ellas recientemente?"

"¿Crees que ellas vendrán a la boda?"

"¿Cómo se llaman ellas?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Describe a un grupo de mujeres que admiras y por qué ellas son importantes para ti.

Escribe sobre un viaje que hiciste con tus amigas y lo que ellas hicieron.

¿Qué cualidades crees que ellas tienen en común?

Imagina un futuro liderado por mujeres; ¿cómo actuarían ellas?

Escribe una carta a tus hermanas o primas diciéndoles lo que ellas significan para ti.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

No, in traditional Spanish, if there is even one man in the group, you must use 'ellos'. 'Ellas' is strictly for all-female groups.

In most places, it sounds like the 'y' in 'yellow'. In some parts of Argentina and Uruguay, it sounds like 'sh' or 'zh'.

Yes, if the objects are feminine and plural, like 'las sillas' (the chairs), you can use 'ellas' to refer to them, though it's less common than in English.

'Ellas' means 'they' (talking about them). 'Ustedes' means 'you all' (talking to them).

It is neutral. It can be used in any setting, from very formal to very informal.

No, Spanish often drops the subject pronoun. You only use 'ellas' for emphasis, clarity, or to change the subject.

It is used to clarify who the indirect object is, especially with verbs like 'gustar'. 'A ellas les gusta' means 'They like it'.

Generally no. 'Ellas' is feminine. Some people use 'elles' as a gender-neutral alternative.

Yes, the word and its basic usage are the same across all Spanish-speaking countries.

The 's' is the standard plural marker in Spanish, derived from Latin plural endings.

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