Spanish - April 29, 2023

How To Say "They Are" In Spanish

If you are learning Spanish, it is essential to know how to use the verb "to be". It is a fundamental part of the language, and it is used to describe people, things, and situations. In this article, we will go over the meaning of "they are" in Spanish, its translation, and provide you with some sample sentences to help you learn how to say it correctly.

Fast track your vocabulary with the 10.000 most common Spanish words!

What is "They Are" in Spanish?

In Spanish, "they are" translates to ellos son (IPA: /e'ʎos son/) or ellas son (IPA: /e'ʎas son/) depending on the gender of the subject. The word "ellos" is used for a group of males or a mixed group of males and females, while "ellas" is used for a group of females only.

Meaning of "They Are" in Spanish

The phrase "they are" is used to describe a group of people or things. It is equivalent to the third person plural form of the verb "to be" in English, which can be "are" or "were". In Spanish, "ellos son" or "ellas son" is used to express that a group of people or things share a particular quality or characteristic.

4 eBooks of the Spanish Frequency Dictionaries series by MostUsedWords

Spanish Regional References

Spanish is a language spoken in many regions around the world, and each one has its own dialect and regional references. Here are some examples:

In Spain, people use the word "vosotros" instead of "ellos" or "ellas" to refer to a group of people, but this is not used in Latin America.
In some Latin American countries, the word "ustedes" is used instead of "ellos" or "ellas" to refer to a group of people.
In some Caribbean countries, people use the word "ello" instead of "ellos" or "ellas" to refer to a group of people.

Other Examples

Here are some additional ways you can use "they are" in Spanish:

Use it to describe people's physical appearance: Ellos son altos y rubios. (They are tall and blond.) or Ellas son morenas y bonitas. (They are brunette and pretty.)
Use it to talk about people's professions: Ellos son médicos. (They are doctors.) or Ellas son abogadas. (They are lawyers.)
Use it to describe people's personalities: Ellos son divertidos. (They are funny.) or Ellas son serias. (They are serious.)

You can find the paperbacks on Amazon (we have frequency dictionaries for beginners, intermediates, advanced and near-fluent students), or get the eBooks directly from us here. (They are affiliate links. That means we might get a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking these links, at no extra cost to you.)