Explain to me "they"

[Bereta_Eder]

snip snip

[Lorizael]

"They" is historically both a singular and plural gender-neutral pronoun in English. The singular use fell out of fashion for awhile but has come back recently.

[Bereta_Eder]

Hmm I see. Thanks

That could never work in Greek. Even plurals are gender specific.

[Bereta_Eder]

Αυτός (autos) He
Αυτοί (autoi) They (masculine)

Αυτή (auti) She
ΑυτÎÏ‚ (autes) They (female)

[Lorizael]

English has a messy and stupid history where it concerns gender because of its dual Germanic and Romance roots.

[giblets]

Some people don't want to be called "he" or "she", and "it" is associated with objects and animals so it's offensive to refer to people as "it", so that leaves "they". Sometimes people suggest new pronouns but most people can't be bothered to learn them.

[Bereta_Eder]

snip snip

[Dauphin]

I use 'they' when referring to an unknown gender, to mask a gender (e.g. to protect identity, when a gender may help identify the person), or because the person wants that pronoun.

They (I'm not telling you what gender they are) said: I spoke to the new doctor.
Not knowing the gender of the doctor, I responded: Oh, what did they [the doctor] say.

[Bereta_Eder]

Sorry dauphin I know some english but didnt understand anytihng of this

[Dauphin]

'They' in this context is just a gender neutral version of he/she. Can be used whenever gender label is not desired, required, and/or known.

Or you can use as a gender neutral plural.