they
/强ðeɪ, 弱ðe/pronoun
third person plural
1
- used to refer to two or more people or things previously mentioned or easily identified他们; 她们; 它们：
the two men could get life sentences if they are convicted.
这两人如果被证明有罪的话, 他们可能会被判处无期徒刑。
1.1
- people in general人们：
the rest, as they say, is history.
如人们所言, 其余是历史。
1.2
- informal a group of people in authority regarded collectively〈非正式〉有权有势的人：
they cut my water off.
那些当权者断了我的水。
2
- singular used to refer to a person of unspecified sex表示不确定性别的人 他; 她：
ask a friend if they could help.
请个朋友看他能否帮忙。
The word they （with its counterparts them, their, and themselves） as a singular pronoun to refer to a person of unspecified sex has been used since at least the 16th century. In the late 20th century， as the traditional use of he to refer to a person of either sex came under scrutiny on the grounds of sexism， this use of they has become more common. It is now generally accepted in contexts where it follows an indefinite pronoun such as anyone, no one, someone, or a person, as in anyone can join if they are a resident and each to their own. In other contexts， coming after singular nouns， the use of they is now common， though less widely accepted， especially in formal contexts. Sentences such as ask a friend if they could help are still criticized for being ungrammatical. Nevertheless， in view of the growing acceptance of they and its obvious practical advantages， they is used in this dictionary in many cases where he would have been used formerly. See also usage at HE and SHE.
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