eles/elas

The Portuguese pronouns eles and elas are the third-person plural subject pronouns, equivalent to the English word 'they'. However, unlike English, which uses a gender-neutral 'they' for people and 'they' for objects regardless of gender, Portuguese is a gendered language. This means that the choice between eles and elas depends entirely on the gender of the individuals or objects being discussed. This distinction is fundamental to Portuguese grammar and is one of the first major hurdles for English speakers who are accustomed to the neutrality of 'they'. In everyday conversation, these words are ubiquitous. Whether you are talking about a group of friends, your parents, a set of books, or a collection of chairs, you will need to choose the correct plural pronoun. The word eles is the masculine plural form. It is used to refer to a group composed entirely of males or masculine nouns. Crucially, it is also the 'default' or inclusive plural; if a group contains even one male person or one masculine object among a thousand females or feminine objects, the masculine plural eles is used. On the other hand, elas is strictly feminine. It is used exclusively for groups consisting entirely of females or feminine nouns. If there is a single male presence, elas cannot be used to describe the whole group. This reflects the historical grammatical structure of Romance languages derived from Latin. Beyond people, these pronouns are used for objects. If you are talking about 'os carros' (the cars), which is a masculine noun, you refer to them as eles. If you are talking about 'as chaves' (the keys), a feminine noun, you refer to them as elas. Understanding this binary is essential for achieving fluency and sounding natural to native speakers.

Masculine Plural (Eles)

Used for groups of men, mixed-gender groups, or masculine objects like 'livros' (books) or 'problemas' (problems).

Feminine Plural (Elas)

Used exclusively for groups of women or feminine objects like 'mesas' (tables) or 'ideias' (ideas).

In terms of frequency, you will hear these words in almost every context—from formal news broadcasts discussing politicians ('Eles decidiram...') to informal gossip among friends ('Elas disseram que não vinham'). In Brazilian Portuguese, there is a tendency to use the pronoun explicitly more often than in European Portuguese, where the verb ending often suffices to indicate the subject. However, even in Portugal, eles and elas are vital for clarity, especially when the subject has not been mentioned for a few sentences. They also play a major role when combined with prepositions. For example, 'with them' becomes 'com eles' or 'com elas'. The contraction of prepositions with these pronouns is a key feature of the language. 'De' + 'eles' becomes 'deles' (theirs/of them), and 'em' + 'elas' becomes 'nelas' (in them). This level of integration into the prepositional system makes these pronouns foundational building blocks. Without them, you cannot express possession, location, or companionship involving third parties. Furthermore, the use of eles/elas extends to abstract concepts that are personified or categorized by gender. If you are discussing 'as emoções' (emotions), you would use elas to refer back to them. This constant mental tracking of noun gender is what makes 'they' a more complex concept in Portuguese than in English, requiring the speaker to always be aware of the grammatical gender of the antecedent.

Inanimate Objects

Remember that 'they' is not just for people. 'Os sapatos' (the shoes) are 'eles'. 'As flores' (the flowers) are 'elas'.

Using eles and elas correctly requires two main skills: identifying the gender of the group and conjugating the verb correctly. In Portuguese, the third-person plural verb form is used with these pronouns. For regular '-ar' verbs, the ending is usually '-am' (e.g., 'falam'). For '-er' and '-ir' verbs, it is often '-em' or '-am' depending on the tense (e.g., 'comem', 'partem'). The pronoun usually comes before the verb in a standard declarative sentence. For example, 'They speak Portuguese' is 'Eles falam português'. If the group is all women, it becomes 'Elas falam português'. Note that the verb remains the same regardless of whether you use eles or elas; only the pronoun changes to reflect gender. This is a relief for many learners, as the complexity is localized to the noun-pronoun agreement rather than the verb itself. However, the pronoun is often omitted in Portuguese if the context is clear, because the verb ending '-am' or '-em' already tells the listener that the subject is 'they'. This is known as a pro-drop language. You would use the explicit pronoun for emphasis, to clarify who you are talking about, or when introducing a new subject. For instance, if you are comparing two groups, you might say: 'Eles preferem futebol, mas elas preferem voleibol' (They [men] prefer soccer, but they [women] prefer volleyball). Here, the pronouns are essential for the contrast. Another critical aspect is the use of these pronouns with prepositions. Unlike English 'them', which is a distinct object pronoun, Portuguese uses the same forms (eles/elas) after prepositions. However, they frequently contract with the prepositions 'de' (of/from) and 'em' (in/on). 'De + eles' becomes 'deles', 'De + elas' becomes 'delas'. 'Em + eles' becomes 'neles', and 'Em + elas' becomes 'nelas'. These contractions are mandatory in both spoken and written Portuguese. For example, 'I like them' (referring to masculine objects/people) would be 'Eu gosto deles'. 'I believe in them' (referring to women) would be 'Eu acredito nelas'.

Subject Position

Eles/Elas + Verb (3rd person plural). Example: Eles viajam amanhã.

Prepositional Use

Preposition + Eles/Elas. Example: Este presente é para elas.

When dealing with mixed groups, the masculine 'eles' is the standard. If you have a group of ten women and one man, you must refer to them as 'eles'. This can be frustrating for those used to more gender-neutral systems, but it is a rigid rule of the language. In recent years, there have been movements toward gender-neutral language in Portuguese (using terms like 'elus' or 'iles'), but these are not yet accepted in standard grammar, CEFR testing, or formal contexts. Therefore, for an A2 learner, sticking to eles for mixed groups is the required path. Another interesting usage is in the passive voice or impersonal expressions. While 'se' is often used for impersonality, 'eles' can sometimes be used to mean an unspecified 'they', similar to 'They say it's going to rain' (Eles dizem que vai chover). However, 'Dizem que...' is more common. Finally, remember that eles and elas are used for animals too. If you are talking about 'os gatos' (the cats), use 'eles'. If you are talking about 'as gatas' (the female cats), use 'elas'. This consistency across humans, animals, and objects is what makes the system logical once you master the noun genders.

Contractions to Memorize

de + eles = deles; de + elas = delas; em + eles = neles; em + elas = nelas; por + eles = por eles (no contraction).

You will encounter eles and elas in every corner of Lusophone life. In a bustling market in Luanda, a vendor might point to a pile of mangoes ('as mangas') and say 'Elas estão maduras' (They are ripe). In a corporate office in São Paulo, a manager might discuss their team, saying 'Eles bateram a meta' (They hit the target), referring to a mixed-gender group of employees. In Lisbon, you might hear someone in a café talking about their parents: 'Eles vêm visitar-me no domingo' (They are coming to visit me on Sunday). Because Portuguese is a language that revolves around people and relationships, these pronouns are the glue that holds stories together. In literature and news, eles and elas are used to create distance or to group entities. A news anchor might say 'Eles protestaram contra o aumento dos preços', where 'eles' refers to 'os manifestantes' (the protesters). In music, specifically in genres like Fado or MPB, these pronouns often refer to lost loves or distant friends, adding a layer of poetic anonymity or collective memory. For example, a song might lament 'Elas passaram por mim e não me viram' (They [the women] passed by me and didn't see me). In social media, you see these words in photo captions: 'Eles!' under a picture of two male friends, or 'Sempre elas' under a photo of a group of girlfriends. The cultural weight of 'the masculine default' is also a topic of modern discussion in Portugal and Brazil, where activists might intentionally use 'elas' to refer to a mixed group if the majority is female, or use the newer 'elxs/el@s' in writing (though these are not pronounced easily). However, for the learner, hearing the clear distinction between the 'sh' sound at the end of 'elas' in Portugal or the clear 's' or 'z' sound in Brazil is a key part of developing an ear for the language. In Brazil, the final 's' in 'eles' or 'elas' is often pronounced like a soft 'z' if the next word starts with a vowel (e.g., 'Eles_amam' sounds like 'Elezamam'), which is a melodic feature of the language you will hear in every soap opera (novela). Understanding these pronouns is not just about grammar; it's about following the thread of who is doing what to whom in the rich tapestry of Portuguese-speaking cultures.

Daily Life

Talking about friends, family, or colleagues. 'Eles são simpáticos.'

In the Media

Referring to political parties, sports teams, or social movements.

Another place you will frequently hear these is in storytelling. When a narrator sets the scene, they often use pronouns to keep the flow. 'Havia duas irmãs. Elas viviam numa casa pequena.' Here, 'elas' keeps the focus on the sisters without repeating 'as irmãs'. In sports commentary, you will hear eles constantly when referring to 'os jogadores' (the players) or 'os times' (the teams). 'Eles estão pressionando no ataque!' (They are pressing in the attack!). In the kitchen, recipes might refer to ingredients using these pronouns: 'Pegue os ovos e bata-os até que eles fiquem brancos' (Take the eggs and beat them until they turn white). Note that while 'bata-os' uses the object pronoun 'os', the second part uses 'eles' as the subject of the next clause. This transition between object and subject pronouns is a hallmark of fluent Portuguese. Finally, in children's stories and fables, animals are always referred to by the gender of their species name. 'As formigas' (the ants) are always 'elas', even if the story includes male ants, because the noun itself is feminine. This highlights the linguistic reality that in Portuguese, grammar often trumps biological sex for inanimate objects and general animal names.

Music & Arts

Used to refer to groups of people in song lyrics, often with emotional weight.

The most frequent mistake English speakers make is using eles for everything, effectively treating it as a gender-neutral 'they'. While 'eles' is the default for mixed groups, using it to refer to a group of women or feminine objects is a glaring error. If you refer to 'as mulheres' as 'eles', it sounds very jarring to a native speaker. Another common error is failing to match the verb to the plural pronoun. Beginners often say 'Eles fala' instead of 'Eles falam'. In Portuguese, the verb must always agree with the subject in number and person. A more subtle mistake involves the use of these pronouns as direct objects. In English, we say 'I saw them'. In colloquial Brazilian Portuguese, people often say 'Eu vi eles'. However, in formal writing and European Portuguese, this is considered incorrect. The proper way is to use the object pronouns: 'Eu os vi' (masc) or 'Eu as vi' (fem). For a learner, it's important to know that while you will hear 'Eu vi eles' in the street, you should avoid it in exams or professional emails. Another pitfall is the contraction with prepositions. Learners often forget to combine 'de' or 'em' with the pronoun, saying 'de eles' instead of 'deles'. This makes the speech sound choppy and non-native. Additionally, confusing 'eles/elas' with 'vocês' (you all) is common. While 'vocês' also takes the third-person plural verb form, it refers to the people you are talking TO, whereas 'eles/elas' refers to the people you are talking ABOUT. Mixing these up can lead to significant confusion in conversation. For instance, 'Vocês são inteligentes' means 'You all are smart', while 'Eles são inteligentes' means 'They are smart'. Finally, learners often struggle with the 'mixed group' rule. They might try to create a new word or use both ('eles e elas') every time. While 'eles e elas' is used for emphasis or formal address ('Ladies and gentlemen'), it is not necessary for everyday grammar. One man in a group of a thousand women makes the whole group 'eles'. It is a hard rule to swallow for some, but essential for grammatical accuracy in Portuguese.

The 'Eles' Default Error

Using 'eles' for a group of women. Correct: 'Elas'.

Object Pronoun Confusion

Using 'vi eles' in formal contexts. Correct: 'os vi'.

Another error is the 'Subject Redundancy'. Because the verb ending '-am' or '-em' is so specific, native speakers often drop the pronoun. English speakers tend to over-use 'Eles' and 'Elas' in every sentence. For example: 'Eles chegaram. Eles comeram. Eles saíram.' A native would likely say: 'Eles chegaram, comeram e saíram.' Over-using the pronoun makes your Portuguese sound repetitive and artificial. Furthermore, pay attention to 'eles' vs 'eles mesmos'. 'Eles mesmos' means 'they themselves', used for emphasis. Using just 'eles' when you need emphasis is a missed opportunity for nuance. Lastly, be careful with possessives. 'O livro deles' means 'their book' (the book of them). Beginners often try to use 'seu/sua' to mean 'their', but in modern Brazilian Portuguese, 'seu/sua' usually means 'your'. To avoid confusion, always use 'dele/dela/deles/delas' for third-person possession. For example, 'A casa deles' is clearly 'Their house', whereas 'A sua casa' could mean 'Your house'. Mastering these distinctions will significantly elevate your Portuguese from a basic level to an intermediate one, as it shows a deep understanding of the language's internal logic and gendered nature.

Verb Agreement

Always use the 3rd person plural. 'Eles vão', not 'Eles vai'.

While eles and elas are the primary third-person plural pronouns, there are several other words that function similarly or can be used as alternatives depending on the context. The most common 'alternative' is simply omitting the pronoun. In Portuguese, the verb conjugation 'falam', 'comem', or 'estão' already implies 'they'. Therefore, in many cases, the best alternative to using the word is to use nothing at all. Another important set of words are the object pronouns: os and as. These are used when 'they' is the recipient of an action. For example, instead of 'Eu vi eles' (informal), you use 'Eu os vi'. If referring to women, 'Eu as vi'. When these object pronouns follow a verb ending in '-r', '-s', or '-z', they change to los/las (e.g., 'Vê-los' - to see them). If they follow a nasal sound, they change to nos/nas (e.g., 'Viram-nos' - they saw them). Understanding these variants is crucial for advanced proficiency. Another related word is vocês. While 'vocês' means 'you all', it uses the exact same verb conjugation as eles/elas. This can be confusing for learners. The difference is purely the point of view: 'vocês' is second-person (direct address), while 'eles/elas' is third-person (talking about others). In some regions of Portugal and older literature, you might encounter vós, but this is rare in modern speech and uses a different verb conjugation. For possession, as mentioned before, deles and delas are the essential alternatives to 'their'. If you want to be more specific, you can use phrases like ambos (both) or todos (all). Instead of 'Eles chegaram', you could say 'Ambos chegaram' if there are only two people. This adds precision to your speech. In formal or legal writing, you might see os mesmos or as mesmas used to refer back to a previously mentioned group to avoid repetition, though this is often criticized as poor style in modern Portuguese. Lastly, in very informal Brazilian Portuguese, the word o pessoal (the folks/the people) is often used as a collective noun that replaces 'eles' in a more friendly, group-oriented way. 'O pessoal chegou' (The folks arrived) instead of 'Eles chegaram'.

Vocês vs. Eles

Both use 3rd person plural verbs. 'Vocês' = You all; 'Eles' = They.

Os / As (Object Pronouns)

Used as direct objects. 'Eu os conheço' (I know them).

When comparing 'eles' with other pronouns, it's also worth mentioning nós (we). In Brazil, nós is often replaced by a gente, which takes a singular verb. This is interesting because 'eles' never has such a singular-verb equivalent; it always remains plural. However, the contrast between 'a gente' (us) and 'eles' (them) is a common way to divide 'us vs them' in conversation. Furthermore, the demonstrative pronouns estes/estas (these) and aqueles/aquelas (those) can also serve as subjects. 'Aqueles são os meus primos' (Those are my cousins). These are more specific than 'eles' because they indicate physical or temporal distance. If someone is standing far away, 'aqueles' is more appropriate than 'eles'. In summary, while eles and elas are your 'workhorse' pronouns for 'they', the Portuguese language offers a variety of ways to refer to groups, each with its own nuance of distance, formality, and gender. Mastering the use of object pronouns and demonstratives alongside 'eles/elas' is what truly builds the bridge to fluency.

Aqueles / Aquelas

Meaning 'those ones'. Used for people or things further away.