～ら (JLPT N4)

Structure

Pronoun + ら

Details

About ～ら

There are many prefixes and suffixes in Japanese that are used depending on what the speaker wants to highlight. ら is a suffix (component used after the main part of a word) that implies that there is 'more than one' of something. Due to this, ら is often called a 'pluralizing suffix'. ら comes from the same kanji as 等(など), and the literal meaning is closer to '(A) etc'.

This 'etc' is where the implication of 'more than one' originates. To use ら, attach it to the end of any pronoun.

Caution

Because ら has a literal meaning that is close to '(A) etc', or '(A) and so on', it may sometimes be considered a bit rude (due to being dismissive). Because of this, it is recommended to not use this suffix in relation to people, unless it is absolutely essential to indicate plural. In most cases, 達(たち) will be a far better choice.

Examples

--:--

彼(かれ)らは十分(じゅうぶん)に勉強(べんきょう)をしたから、試験(しけん)が簡単(かんたん)だった。

They studied sufficiently, so the test was easy.

これらを捨(す)ててください。

Could you please toss these?

それらの畳(たたみ)はいい匂(にお)いがしている。

Those tatami mats smell good.

君(きみ)ら池(いけ)に入(はい)るつもり？

Do you all intend to go swimming in the pond?

奴(やつ)らはプロだ。

They are pros.

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～ら – Grammar Discussion

Most Recent Replies (4 in total)

mrnoone
Hey

max99x:

There doesn’t seem to be a ~たち point. Should it be part of this point?

たち deserves grammar point on its own, it is on to-do-list.

max99x:

The linked stack exchange page and others highlight how -ら/-たち are not pure pluralizers, but rather mean “et al” or “an...
Johnathan-Weir
I’ve heard that while これら/それら/あれら exist that they’re not used very often outside of formal writing and the あれら is only used in English translation.

And that これ/それ/あれ can be used plurally just fine.

Any thoughts on this?
Daru
That’s exactly right! これ・それ・あれ and like any noun for that matter, inherit their gender/plurality or singularity from context.

This doesn’t mean that the ～ら isn’t needed, but sometimes it’s needed to clarify the context.