اون‌ها

The Persian word اون‌ها (un-hâ) is the quintessential informal third-person plural pronoun in the Persian language. To understand its usage, one must first understand the concept of diglossia in Persian, where the spoken language (goftâri) differs significantly from the written or formal language (neveshtâri). In formal writing, the word for 'they' is آن‌ها (ân-hâ). However, in almost every conversational context—from a casual chat in a Tehran cafe to a family dinner in Isfahan—the 'â' sound in the root 'ân' shifts to a 'u' sound, resulting in 'un'. This shift is a hallmark of the Tehrani accent, which has become the standard for spoken Persian across Iran. When you use اون‌ها, you are referring to a group of people, animals, or objects that are either physically distant from the speaker or have been previously mentioned in the conversation. It is the direct equivalent of the English 'they' or 'them' depending on its position in the sentence. For English speakers, the most important thing to remember is that Persian pronouns do not have gender. Whether you are talking about a group of men, a group of women, or a mix of both, اون‌ها is the universal choice. This simplifies things significantly compared to Romance languages, but the complexity arises in the register. Using the formal 'ân-hâ' in a casual setting can make you sound overly stiff or like a news anchor, whereas using اون‌ها shows a level of comfort and fluency with the natural rhythm of the language.

Grammatical Category

Third-person plural pronoun (Informal/Spoken)

The word is composed of two parts: 'un' (the informal version of 'ân' meaning 'that') and 'hâ' (the plural marker). While 'hâ' is used for both animate and inanimate objects in spoken Persian, اون‌ها is most frequently used for people. When referring to objects, speakers might sometimes use 'ina' (these) or 'una' (those) as a shorthand. However, اون‌ها remains the standard plural pronoun. It is also important to note that in Persian, verbs must agree with plural human subjects. So, if you use اون‌ها, the verb will always end in the plural suffix '-an' (informal) or '-and' (formal). For example, 'un-hâ raftan' (they went). If you are referring to inanimate objects like 'the books', you can still use اون‌ها, but in Persian grammar, plural inanimate subjects can sometimes take a singular verb, though in spoken language, plural agreement is still very common for emphasis.

Register Note

Always use this in speech. Avoid it in formal essays or official letters unless you are quoting dialogue.

Sociolinguistically, the choice between 'آن‌ها' and اون‌ها is an immediate marker of the speaker's intent. If a teacher is lecturing, they might use 'آن‌ها' to maintain a professional distance. But the moment they step out for a tea break and talk to a colleague, they will switch to اون‌ها. For a learner, mastering this switch is the key to sounding natural. If you use 'آن‌ها' in a friendly conversation, it might sound like you are reading from a 1950s textbook. Conversely, using اون‌ها in a formal presentation might be seen as slightly too casual, though modern Iranian culture is becoming increasingly accepting of spoken forms in semi-formal settings like podcasts or tech presentations.

Plurality and Respect

While 'un-hâ' is plural, Persian also uses the plural 'ishun' (informal for 'ishân') to refer to a single person with high respect. 'Un-hâ' is strictly for a group.

Using اون‌ها in a sentence requires an understanding of Persian sentence structure, which is typically Subject-Object-Verb (SOV). As a pronoun, اون‌ها can function as the subject of the sentence, the direct object, the indirect object, or the object of a preposition. When it is the subject, it usually appears at the beginning of the sentence. For example: 'اون‌ها دارن فوتبال بازی می‌کنن' (They are playing football). Notice how the verb 'می‌کنن' (mi-konan) ends in the plural suffix '-an', which is the informal version of '-and'. This agreement is crucial. If you were to use a singular verb with اون‌ها when referring to people, it would be grammatically incorrect and sound very jarring to a native speaker.

Direct Object Usage

When 'un-hâ' is the direct object, it is followed by the object marker 'ro' (informal for 'râ').

When اون‌ها is the object of a preposition, it follows the preposition directly. Common prepositions include 'bâ' (with), 'be' (to), 'barâye' (for), and 'az' (from). For instance, 'bâ un-hâ' (with them) or 'az un-hâ' (from them). In spoken Persian, these combinations are very frequent. 'من با اون‌ها به سینما رفتم' (I went to the cinema with them). Another interesting feature of Persian is the use of pronominal suffixes. Instead of saying 'ketâbe un-hâ' (their book), Iranians almost always use the suffix '-eshun'. So, 'ketâbeshun' is much more common than 'ketâbe un-hâ'. However, using the full pronoun اون‌ها adds a level of emphasis. If you say 'ketâbe un-hâ', you are specifically pointing out that the book belongs to *them* and not someone else.

In complex sentences, اون‌ها can be used to link ideas. For example, 'اون‌هایی که دیر اومدن، باید منتظر بمونن' (Those who came late must wait). Here, 'un-hâ-yi' acts as 'those'. This demonstrates the versatility of the pronoun. It isn't just a static word for 'they'; it adapts to the grammatical needs of the sentence. Furthermore, when referring to inanimate objects, اون‌ها is used for things that are far away. If the objects are close to the speaker, 'این‌ها' (in-hâ) or 'اینا' (inâ) is used instead. This spatial distinction (this/that) is preserved in the plural pronouns just as it is in the singular 'in' (this) and 'un' (that).

Emphasis and Contrast

We use 'un-hâ' to contrast with 'mâ' (us). 'ما می‌ریم، ولی اون‌ها می‌مونن' (We are going, but they are staying).

If you were to walk through the Grand Bazaar of Tehran or sit in a modern cafe in North Tehran, اون‌ها would be one of the most frequent words hitting your ears. It is the heartbeat of social interaction. In the domestic sphere, you hear it when parents talk about their children's friends: 'اون‌ها بچه‌های خوبی هستن' (They are good kids). You hear it in the workplace when colleagues discuss another department: 'اون‌ها هنوز گزارش رو نفرستادن' (They haven't sent the report yet). It is also the standard pronoun used in Iranian cinema and television dramas. If you watch a movie by Asghar Farhadi, you will notice that the characters use اون‌ها (or its shorter form 'unâ') exclusively, as these films strive for linguistic realism. In contrast, if you turn on the state news (IRIB), the anchors will use 'آن‌ها' because the news register is strictly formal.

Social Media and Texting

On platforms like Instagram, Telegram, and WhatsApp, Iranians almost always write 'اونا' or 'اون‌ها' instead of the formal 'آن‌ها'.

In the context of Iranian music, especially Pop and Rock, اون‌ها is used to describe people or memories. However, in classical Persian music (Traditional/Sonati), which uses medieval poetry (Rumi, Hafez, Saadi), you will never hear اون‌ها. Instead, you will hear 'آن‌ها' or 'ایشان'. This creates a beautiful linguistic divide between the modern soul of Iran and its historical roots. For a student of the language, hearing اون‌ها is a sign that you are engaging with the living, breathing version of Persian. It is also common in podcasts and YouTube vlogs where the tone is conversational. If a vlogger is talking about a group of people they met, they will use اون‌ها to build a rapport with the audience, making the story feel more personal and less like a lecture.

Regional Variations

While 'un-hâ' is standard in Tehran, in some Dari dialects (Afghanistan), they might stick closer to 'ân-hâ' or use 'un-o'.

Finally, you will hear this word in educational settings when a teacher is explaining something to students in a non-formal way. Even though the textbook says 'آن‌ها', the teacher will naturally say اون‌ها to ensure the students understand the practical application. This highlights the importance of 'un-hâ' as a bridge between formal knowledge and everyday reality. Whether you are bargaining at a shop or discussing politics with a taxi driver, اون‌ها is your go-to word for 'them'.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when learning Persian is using the formal آن‌ها (ân-hâ) in casual conversation. While it is technically correct, it creates a 'robotic' or 'foreign' feel to the speech. Imagine someone saying 'They shall arrive shortly' instead of 'They'll be here soon' in a casual setting. To avoid this, students should consciously practice the 'â' to 'u' shift. Another common error is confusing اون‌ها (those/they) with این‌ها (these/they nearby). Persian speakers are very sensitive to the distance of the subject. If the people you are talking about are standing right next to you, you must use 'in-hâ' or 'inâ'. Using اون‌ها for people who are present can sometimes feel like you are excluding them or talking 'over' them.

Verb Agreement Errors

Forgetting to use the plural verb ending. 'Un-hâ raft' is wrong; it must be 'Un-hâ raftan'.

A third mistake involves the use of 'ro' (the object marker). Learners often forget to add 'ro' when اون‌ها is the direct object. In English, 'them' is a distinct word from 'they', but in Persian, the word اون‌ها stays the same and only the marker 'ro' changes its function. So, saying 'Man un-hâ didam' is incorrect; it must be 'Man un-hâ ro didam'. Additionally, some learners struggle with the possessive. While 'ketâbe un-hâ' is grammatically fine, it sounds a bit clunky. Native speakers prefer the suffix '-eshun'. If you use the full pronoun for possession every time, your Persian will sound repetitive and unnatural. Use the full pronoun only when you need to emphasize *who* owns the item.

Pronunciation Pitfall

Don't over-pronounce the 'h'. In 'un-hâ', the 'h' is very soft. If you say it too harshly, it breaks the flow of the sentence.

Lastly, be careful with the word 'ishun'. Sometimes learners use اون‌ها for a single person they respect (like a professor or a grandparent) because they know plural pronouns are used for respect. However, اون‌ها is specifically for a group. If you want to show respect to one person, use 'ishun' (informal) or 'ishân' (formal). Using اون‌ها for one person sounds like you are literally saying there are multiple people standing there, which can be confusing or even slightly rude if you're trying to be formal.

To truly master Persian pronouns, you need to know the alternatives to اون‌ها and when to use them. The most direct alternative is the formal آن‌ها (ân-hâ). This is what you will find in literature, news reports, and official documents. It is the 'parent' word from which اون‌ها is derived. Another common alternative is این‌ها (in-hâ), which means 'these' or 'they' (nearby). The choice between 'un-hâ' and 'in-hâ' is purely based on physical or metaphorical distance. If you are talking about people in another room, use 'un-hâ'. If you are talking about people sitting at your table, use 'in-hâ'.

Comparison Table

• اون‌ها (Un-hâ): Informal, distant 'they'.
• آن‌ها (Ân-hâ): Formal, distant 'they'.
• این‌ها (In-hâ): Informal, nearby 'they/these'.
• ایشان (Ishân): Very formal/polite, can be singular or plural.

For showing respect, the word ایشان (ishân) or its informal version ایشون (ishun) is used. While 'un-hâ' is neutral, 'ishun' is honorific. If you are talking about your boss or a respected elder, 'ishun' is much better. Interestingly, 'ishun' is often used as a singular pronoun to mean 'he' or 'she' politely, but it can also mean 'they' politely. Another literary alternative is آنان (ânân). You will only encounter this in classical poetry or very high-level academic prose. It sounds extremely archaic in modern speech. Finally, in some dialects, you might hear 'اونا' (unâ), which is just a faster, more clipped version of اون‌ها. It is the most common form in rapid Tehrani speech.

Usage in Objects

When referring to things like 'those cars', you can say 'un mâshin-hâ' or simply 'un-hâ'.

In summary, while اون‌ها is the workhorse of plural pronouns, being aware of 'ishun' for respect and 'in-hâ' for proximity will make your Persian sound much more nuanced and authentic. Each of these words carries a social and spatial weight that defines the relationship between the speaker and the subject.