Third Person Pronouns (Te/Teo)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'Te' for singular he/she/it and 'Teo' for plural they to talk about people or things not present.
- Use 'Te' (તે) for a singular person or object: 'Te aave che' (He is coming).
- Use 'Teo' (તેઓ) for plural people: 'Teo jaay che' (They are going).
- These pronouns are gender-neutral in Gujarati, making them easier to learn than in European languages.
Third Person Pronoun Usage
| Pronoun | English | Number | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Te
|
He/She/It
|
Singular
|
Standard
|
|
Teo
|
They
|
Plural
|
Standard
|
|
Teo
|
He/She (Honorific)
|
Singular
|
Respectful
|
Meanings
These are the third-person pronouns used to refer to individuals or groups other than the speaker and the listener.
Personal Pronoun
Referring to a specific person or group.
“Te khay che.”
“Teo ramay che.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Te + Verb
|
Te aave che
|
|
Negative
|
Te + nathi + Verb
|
Te nathi aavta
|
|
Question
|
Te + Verb + ?
|
Te aave che?
|
|
Plural
|
Teo + Verb
|
Teo aave che
|
|
Honorific
|
Teo + Verb
|
Teo aave che (Sir)
|
|
Short Answer
|
Te/Teo
|
Te che
|
Espectro de formalidade
Te aavi rahya che. (Daily life)
Te aave che. (Daily life)
Te aave. (Daily life)
Te aave che ne! (Daily life)
Pronoun Map
Singular
- Te He/She/It
Plural
- Teo They
Exemplos por nível
Te maaro bhai che.
He is my brother.
Teo aave che.
They are coming.
Te kyaan che?
Where is he/she?
Teo khay che.
They are eating.
Te aaj office nathi.
He is not at the office today.
Teo game ramva gaya che.
They have gone to play a game.
Teo ne puchho.
Ask them.
Te maari madad kare che.
He/She helps me.
Teo mara shikshak che.
He/She is my teacher (honorific).
Teo ne bolavo.
Call them.
Teo aaje nahi aave.
They will not come today.
Teo ni vaat saachi che.
What they say is true.
Teo na vicharo alag che.
Their thoughts are different.
Teo ni safalta badal abhinandan.
Congratulations on their success.
Teo ne samjavu jaruri che.
It is necessary to explain to them.
Teo ni jagya par koi nathi.
There is no one in their place.
Teo ni drashti thi aa yogya che.
From their perspective, this is appropriate.
Teo ni kalpana shakti adbhut che.
Their imagination is wonderful.
Teo ni sah-bhagita anivarya che.
Their participation is mandatory.
Teo ni pratikriya ni raah joiye.
We are waiting for their reaction.
Teo ni aatmakatha ma ghana rahasyo che.
There are many secrets in their autobiography.
Teo ni vichardhara samaj ne badli shake.
Their ideology can change society.
Teo ni kshamata no koi ant nathi.
There is no limit to their capacity.
Teo ni upastithi anubhavay che.
Their presence is felt.
Fácil de confundir
Learners mix up 'that' and 'this'.
Using plural for singular.
Context confusion.
Erros comuns
Teo aave che (for one person)
Te aave che
Te aave che (for a teacher)
Teo aave che
Teo khay che (for one person)
Te khay che
Teo che (for a singular object)
Te che
Teo nathi aavta (for one person)
Te nathi aavta
Teo kyaan che (for one person)
Te kyaan che
Teo maaro mitra che
Te maaro mitra che
Teo ni kaam
Teo nu kaam
Teo ne bolavya
Te ne bolavya
Teo aave che (for a group)
Teo aave che
Teo ni vichar
Teo na vichar
Teo ne puchhvu
Teo ne puchhvu
Teo ni pratikriya
Teo ni pratikriya
Padrões de frases
Te ___ che.
Teo ___ che.
Te ___ nathi.
Teo ___ kyaan che?
Real World Usage
Te online che.
Teo meeting ma che.
Te bus kyaan che?
Teo aave che.
Te post mukyu che.
Teo mara manager che.
Gender Neutrality
Plural vs Honorific
Verb Agreement
Respect
Smart Tips
Always use 'Teo' to show respect.
Ensure the verb is plural.
Use 'Te' for distance.
Keep the pronoun at the start.
Pronúncia
Te
Pronounced like 'teh' in 'ten'.
Teo
Pronounced like 'teh-oh'.
Question
Te aave che? (Rising tone)
Asking for confirmation.
Memorize
Mnemônico
Te is for 'Ten' (one), Teo is for 'Two' or more.
Associação visual
Imagine a single person far away (Te) and a group of people dancing (Teo).
Rhyme
Te is one, Teo is many, use them well, don't have any (doubt).
Story
Te is a lonely traveler. He walks alone. Suddenly, he meets a group of friends. Now they are Teo, walking together.
Word Web
Desafio
Write 5 sentences about your friends using 'Te' and 'Teo'.
Notas culturais
Using 'Teo' for a single person is a sign of respect for elders.
Younger generations often use 'Te' even for elders in very casual settings.
Honorifics are strictly observed.
Derived from Sanskrit demonstrative pronouns.
Iniciadores de conversa
Te kyaan che?
Teo kon che?
Teo ne malvu che?
Teo ni madad karvi che?
Temas para diário
Erros comuns
Test Yourself
___ aave che. (He)
___ (They) khay che.
Find and fix the mistake:
Teo (one person) aave che.
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
They are going.
Answer starts with: Teo...
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Teo ___ che. (Respectful)
___ (He) maaro mitra che.
Score: /8
Exercicios praticos
8 exercises___ aave che. (He)
___ (They) khay che.
Find and fix the mistake:
Teo (one person) aave che.
che / Te / aave
They are going.
Te -> ?
Teo ___ che. (Respectful)
___ (He) maaro mitra che.
Score: /8
Perguntas frequentes (8)
They are often interchangeable, but 'Te' is more standard.
Yes, 'Te' works for objects too.
It is an honorific used for respect.
No, it is gender-neutral.
Add 'nathi' before the verb.
Grammatically yes, but socially it can be singular.
The meaning might be unclear, but you will be understood.
Yes, 'Aa' and 'E' are also common.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Él/Ella/Ellos
Gendered vs Neutral.
Il/Elle/Ils
Gendered vs Neutral.
Er/Sie/Es
Gendered vs Neutral.
Kare/Kanojo
Specific vs Neutral.
Huwa/Hiya
Gendered vs Neutral.
Ta
Both are neutral.
