Third Person Pronouns
Third person pronouns in Japanese include 彼 (he), 彼女 (she), and their variations. However, these pronouns have dual meanings (also "boyfriend/girlfriend") and are less commonly used than English "he/she." Japanese often prefers names, descriptive phrases, or context over pronouns.
彼は学生です
"He is a student" or "My boyfriend is a student"
彼女は先生です
"She is a teacher" or "My girlfriend is a teacher"
あの人は誰ですか
"Who is that person?" (neutral, clearer)
彼 (kare) - He/Him
Dual meaning
Meaning 1: He
彼は学生です
"He is a student"
Meaning 2: Boyfriend
彼はやさしい
"My boyfriend is kind"
Context determines meaning
Ambiguity possible
When to use as "he"
✓ Formal writing
✓ Academic contexts
✓ When gender is relevant
✓ Translating foreign text
Not always natural
Context should be clear
Avoiding ambiguity
If meaning "he" (not boyfriend):
その男性は... "That man..."
あの人は... "That person..."
田中さんは... "Tanaka..."
Clearer alternatives
Less ambiguous
彼女 (kanojo) - She/Her
Dual meaning
Meaning 1: She
彼女は先生です
"She is a teacher"
Meaning 2: Girlfriend
彼女はきれいだ
"My girlfriend is pretty"
Same ambiguity as 彼
Context crucial
When to use as "she"
✓ Formal writing
✓ Academic contexts
✓ When gender needs emphasis
✓ Translating
Not always natural speech
Consider alternatives
Avoiding ambiguity
If meaning "she" (not girlfriend):
その女性は... "That woman..."
あの人は... "That person..."
山田さんは... "Yamada..."
Clearer options
あの人 (ano hito) - That Person
Gender-neutral, polite
あの人は誰ですか
"Who is that person?"
あの人は医者です
"That person is a doctor"
Used for: Anyone
Gender: Neutral
Formality: Polite
Distance: Far from both
Most common alternative
Advantages
✓ No gender assumption
✓ No boyfriend/girlfriend confusion
✓ Natural in conversation
✓ Polite and respectful
✓ Widely appropriate
Preferred over 彼/彼女
この人/その人 (kono hito/sono hito)
Distance-based "person"
この人は友達です
"This person is my friend"
その人は誰？
"Who is that person?"
この: Near speaker
その: Near listener
あの: Far from both
Demonstrative + person
Plural Third Person
彼ら (karera) - They (male/mixed)
彼らは学生です
"They are students"
Male or mixed group
Formal contexts
Less common in speech
彼女ら (kanojora) - They (female)
彼女らは看護師です
"They are nurses"
All-female group
Formal/written
Rare in speech
彼女たち (kanojotachi) - They (female)
彼女たちは来ます
"They will come"
Female group
More natural than 彼女ら
あの人たち (ano hitotachi) - Those people
あの人たちは誰ですか
"Who are those people?"
Gender-neutral plural
Natural and polite
Common choice
Better Alternatives
Use names
Instead of: 彼は来る
Better: 田中さんが来る
"Tanaka is coming"
Most natural
Clearest option
Always appropriate
Use descriptive terms
その男性 "that man"
その女性 "that woman"
あの子 "that child"
あの方 "that person" (polite)
Specific and clear
Natural Japanese
Use titles/roles
先生は "the teacher"
社長は "the president"
お客様は "the customer"
Professional contexts
Respectful
Gender-Neutral Options
Modern considerations
あの人 "that person"
その方 "that person" (polite)
友達 "friend"
相手 "the other person/partner"
No gender assumption
Inclusive language
この/その/あの方 (kata) - Polite "Person"
Respectful reference
あの方はどなたですか
"Who is that person?" (polite)
その方は先生です
"That person is a teacher" (polite)
Polite form of 人
Shows respect
Formal situations
Omitting Third Person
Often unnecessary
With context: 学生です
"(He/She) is a student"
Topic established, pronoun dropped
Very natural
Continuing reference
田中さんは医者です。忙しいです。
"Tanaka is a doctor. (He) is busy."
Name first, then omit
Clear from context
Boyfriend/Girlfriend Meaning
When 彼/彼女 means romantic partner
彼ができた
"I got a boyfriend"
彼女と別れた
"I broke up with my girlfriend"
Context makes it clear
No ambiguity here
Avoiding confusion
To clarify "he/she" (not romantic):
その男の人 "that man"
その女の人 "that woman"
Or use name
Be specific
Historical Note
Western influence
彼/彼女 as "he/she":
Borrowed from Western languages
Translation convenience
Not traditional Japanese
Still not fully natural
Japanese historically used:
Names, titles, context
More natural approach
Formal Writing
When pronouns are appropriate
Academic papers
Translations
Formal documents
News reports (sometimes)
More acceptable in writing
Still consider alternatives
Gender and Respect
Respectful terms
あの方 (polite)
その方 (polite)
あちらの方 (that person over there)
Shows respect
Professional settings
Common Mistakes
Overusing 彼/彼女
Unnatural: 彼は学生です。彼は真面目です。⚠️
Natural: 田中さんは学生です。真面目です。✓
"Tanaka is a student. (He) is serious."
Use name, then omit
More natural
Assuming 彼/彼女 always means romantic
Context matters:
学術論文で彼は... (he in academic paper)
昨日彼と... (with my boyfriend yesterday)
Academic vs. personal context
Using when name is known
Avoid: 彼は来る (when you know his name)
Better: 田中さんが来る
"Tanaka is coming"
Names are more natural
Demonstrative Distance
この/その/あの person pattern
この人: Near me
"This person (here with me)"
その人: Near you
"That person (near you)"
あの人: Away from both
"That person (over there)"
Distance determines choice
Practice Sentences
Basic
Using alternatives:
あの人は誰ですか
"Who is that person?"
田中さんは学生です
"Tanaka is a student"
先生は忙しいです
"The teacher is busy"
Better than pronouns
Intermediate
Without pronouns:
田中さんは医者です。毎日
忙しく働いています。
"Tanaka is a doctor. (He) works
busy every day."
あの人は先生だと思います。
よく学校で見かけます。
"I think that person is a teacher.
I often see (them) at school."
友達が結婚しました。とても
幸せそうです。
"My friend got married. (They) seem
very happy."