Translation guide
In Japanese, the English object pronoun 'them' is usually omitted when clear from context. When needed, it is expressed through demonstratives, names, titles, or specific noun phrases. Direct translation with a pronoun equivalent is rare and often unnatural.
When 'them' is clear from context, simply omit the object.
Japanese frequently drops objects when they are understood from context. This is the most natural way to handle 'them'.
昨日、友達に会いました。
I met them (my friends) yesterday.
もう送りました。
I already sent them.
When you need to specify 'them' as a group of people.
Literally 'those people', a common way to refer to a group of people not present or previously mentioned.
あの人たちに聞いてください。
Please ask them.
Means 'they/them' (male or mixed group). Used in writing or formal speech, but can sound stiff in casual conversation.
彼らを招待しました。
I invited them.
Means 'they/them' (all female). Similar to 彼ら but specifically for women.
彼女たちにプレゼントをあげました。
I gave them a present.
Attach たち to a person's name or title to refer to them and their group.
田中さんたちに会いました。
I met Tanaka and the others (them).
'These people' / 'those people', used when the group is physically or contextually near/far.
この人たちを手伝ってください。
Please help them (these people).
When 'them' refers to inanimate objects or animals.
Plural 'those' for things. Used in writing or formal speech; in casual speech, often just それ or omitted.
それらを箱に入れてください。
Please put them in the box.
Mention the noun first, then use それ (that) or あれ (that over there) to refer back. Often the noun alone is enough.
本はあそこです。それを取ってください。
The books are over there. Please get them.
Often objects are omitted, or a counter word is used without a pronoun.
りんごを三個買いました。
I bought three of them (apples).
When 'them' is the recipient of an action.
If the recipient is clear, just omit it.
プレゼントをあげました。
I gave them a present.
To/for those people.
あの人たちに伝えてください。
Please tell them.
To/for them (male/mixed or female). Formal/written.
彼らにメールを送りました。
I sent them an email.
Using 彼ら or 彼女たち in everyday conversation can sound overly formal or even unnatural. It's often better to use the person's name, a title, or simply omit the pronoun.
田中さんたちに聞いてみます。
I'll ask them (Tanaka and the others).
If 'them' refers to people, use あの人たち or name+たち. If it refers to things, use それら (formal) or just それ/あれ, or omit. In many cases, the object is simply dropped.