Why don’t we say “彼たち”? Plural Expressions in Japanese
Table of Contents
1. Plural Expressions in Japanese
2. たち（達）
3. ら（等）
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Similer Articles
7. Comment
Q: What’s the difference between “たち” and “ら”? Why are expressions like “私たち” and “私ら” natural, but “彼たち” is rarely used?
A: These two expressions may seem similar, but they actually differ in usage and nuance. Let’s start by reviewing their basic meanings and then explore the differences more deeply.
たち（達）
[Usage]
Attached to nouns or pronouns to indicate that they refer to more than one person.
Often used with personal pronouns, occupations, or social roles.
[Examples]
わたしたちは電車で行きます。
We will go by train.
先生たちは会議をしているようです。
The teachers seem to be having a meeting.
君たちは3階の教室でテストを受けてください。
You all should take the test in the classroom on the third floor.
“たち” is commonly used with first-person pronouns like “わたし,” “あなた,” and “君,” as well as with names, occupations, and social roles.
[Examples]
あなたたちのおかげで助かりました。
Thanks to you all, I was saved.
今日、マリアさんたちは学校に来ないのかな。
I wonder if Maria and the others aren’t coming to school today.
警官たちは事件の犯人を捜しているようです。
The police officers seem to be searching for the suspect in the case.
ら（等）
[Usage]
① Added to words referring to people, names, or job titles to indicate that there are others of the same kind.
② Added to pronouns or names referring to people to broadly suggest the presence of others in the same group.
① Used for objective expressions in news and similar contexts
Often used to refer to a group from a neutral, objective point of view, regardless of the individuals’ status or closeness.
This expression frequently appears in news articles and formal reporting styles.
[Examples]
大臣らは報道陣の質問に答えず去って行きました。
The ministers left without answering questions from the press.
犯人と思われる男らは今も逃走中です。
The men believed to be the suspects are still on the run.
② Gives an abstract or vague impression
Compared to “たち,” it is less specific and is suitable for expressing a general sense of group or loosely defined affiliation.
It is also commonly used in casual conversation.
[Examples]
ぼくらの時代は、自然が残っていて川や山で遊んだよ。
Back in our day, there was still a lot of nature, and we used to play in the rivers and mountains.
⇒ “ら” is used here to refer to the entire generation of “us” without identifying specific individuals.
今回のミスはわたしらのせいではないです。
This mistake isn’t our fault.
⇒ Using “ら” adds a sense of vagueness about who is responsible.
③ Usage in casual conversation
“ら” is also used more often than “たち” in casual conversation.
[Examples]
今の子供もこのゲームするんだね。わたしらもよくしたよね。
Kids these days play this game too, huh? We used to play it all the time.
俺らはずっと友達だよ。
We’ve always been friends.
Let’s Compare
Now, let’s get to the main point.
Have you figured out why “彼たち” is rarely used?
The answer actually lies in how “たち” is used.
“たち” is typically added to first-person pronouns (like わたし, ぼく, おれ), names, or people who are close to the speaker, to indicate a plural group.
On the other hand, “彼” is a third-person pronoun, referring to someone more distant from the speaker and listener.
So when expressing a plural form, it’s more natural to use “ら” instead of “たち.”
In this case, whether “ら” sounds casual or abstract doesn’t matter—it’s a grammatical rule.
From a structural point of view, “彼たち” is unnatural, and “彼ら” is the correct expression.
Note that “彼ら” is most often used in neutral or formal situations.
[Examples]
彼らの努力がこのプロジェクトの成功につながりました。
Their efforts led to the success of this project.
彼らはまだ結果を出していませんが、可能性は十分に見込めると思います。
They haven’t shown results yet, but I believe they have plenty of potential.
Summary
- “たち” is attached to first-person pronouns, names, and words indicating occupations or roles to show that they are plural.
- “ら” is used to refer to people or groups in a more objective or vague way.
- Since “彼” is a third-person pronoun, it is more natural to use “ら” rather than “たち” for the plural form. The expression “彼たち” is not commonly used.
Other Articles
- Must-Know for Foreigners Working in Japan: Do You Really Need a Hanko (Personal Seal)?
- Differences in Parts of Speech between Japanese and English②
- Differences in Parts of Speech between Japanese and English①
- Learning the Forms of Japanese from Classical Literature
- Idioms Using “頭” ② – Useful in Everyday Conversations
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