Translation guide
In Japanese, pronouns like 'you' and 'them' are often omitted when clear from context. When needed, use names, titles, or context-appropriate words instead of direct translations.
あの人たちは誰ですか。
Who are they?
How to address or refer to the listener in Japanese
Japanese often omits the subject when it's clear from context. Using a pronoun can sound unnatural or overly direct.
元気ですか。
How are you?
何を食べたいですか。
What do you want to eat?
Using the person's name with an honorific (like さん) or their title is polite and common, especially when you know the person.
田中さんはコーヒーを飲みますか。
Tanaka-san, do you drink coffee?
先生、質問があります。
Teacher, I have a question.
A standard 'you', but can sound distant or impersonal. Often used between strangers, in writing, or by wives to husbands. Avoid overusing.
Using あなた with someone whose name you know can feel cold or rude.
あなたの名前は何ですか。
What is your name?
Informal 'you', used mainly by men to close friends, juniors, or in romantic contexts. Can sound condescending if misused.
Avoid using with superiors or strangers.
君はどう思う？
What do you think?
How to refer to a group of people or a specific person when gender/number is unknown or irrelevant
If the people are clear from context, simply omit the subject.
もう帰りました。
They already went home.
Literally 'those people', a common and neutral way to say 'them' when referring to a group away from both speaker and listener.
あの人たちは誰ですか。
Who are they?
Means 'they' (male or mixed gender). Can sound stiff or literary. Often replaced by more specific terms.
Specifically 'they' for a group of women. Less common; often あの人たち is used instead.
彼女たちは看護師です。
They are nurses.
How to refer to someone when you don't know their gender, similar to singular 'they' in English
Japanese often avoids specifying gender by omitting the subject altogether.
誰かがドアをノックしたけど、返事しなかった。
Someone knocked on the door, but they didn't answer.
Literally 'that person', a gender-neutral way to refer to someone previously mentioned.
新しい先生に会った？その人はとても親切だよ。
Did you meet the new teacher? They are very kind.
Means 'that person' (away from both speaker and listener). Gender-neutral.
あの人は誰ですか。
Who is that person?
Directly translating 'you' as あなた or 'them' as 彼ら often sounds unnatural. Japanese relies heavily on context, names, and titles. Overusing pronouns can make your speech sound stiff or even rude.
あなた is standard but can be distant. 君 is casual and can be condescending. お前 is very rough and used only among close male friends or in anger. When in doubt, use the person's name + さん.
お前、何してるんだ！
What the hell are you doing!
They are students.