The English word "them" translates to Russian as either их (ikh) or им (im), depending on the grammatical case required. In Russian, pronouns change their form based on their function in the sentence - a concept called declension that doesn't exist in English. When "them" is a direct object (I see them), Russian uses их. When "them" is an indirect object (I give them a book), Russian uses им.
Q: What does "them" mean in Russian? A: "Them" in Russian is expressed as их (ikh) when it's a direct object in the accusative case, and им (im) when it's an indirect object in the dative case. Russian also uses other forms like ими (imi) in the instrumental case and них (nikh) after prepositions.
Throughout this lesson, you'll encounter "them" in various Russian sentences, demonstrating how context determines whether to use их, им, or other forms. The examples progress from simple direct object usage to more complex grammatical constructions, helping you understand when and how to use each form correctly.
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Course Type: Language Learning Material -
Target Audience: English speakers learning Russian -
Level: Beginner to Intermediate -
Focus: Personal pronouns in various cases -
Method: Word-by-word translation with grammatical explanation
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Russian "them" has multiple forms depending on case -
их (ikh) = accusative case (direct object) -
им (im) = dative case (indirect object) -
After prepositions, add н- prefix: них, ним, ними -
Case usage is determined by the verb and sentence structure
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67.1 Я I вижу see их them каждый every день day
67.2 Она she дала gave им them подарки presents
67.3 Мы we встретили met их them в in парке park
67.4 Учитель teacher объяснил explained им them правило rule
67.5 Дети children играют play с with ними them
67.6 Он he рассказал told им them интересную interesting историю story
67.7 Мать mother приготовила prepared для for них them обед lunch
67.8 Я I позвоню will-call им them завтра tomorrow
67.9 Собака dog бежала ran за after ними them
67.10 Мы we пригласили invited их them на to свадьбу wedding
67.11 Она she купила bought им them новые new книги books
67.12 Без without них them скучно boring
67.13 Директор director поблагодарил thanked их them за for работу work
67.14 Я I думаю think о about них them часто often
67.15 Она she пришла came к to ним them в to гости visit
"Them" in Russian is expressed through different forms of the third-person plural pronoun: -
их (ikh) - accusative case (direct object) -
им (im) - dative case (indirect object) -
ними/ими (nimi/imi) - instrumental case -
них/ним (nikh/nim) - prepositional forms
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67.1 Я вижу их каждый день. I see them every day.
67.2 Она дала им подарки. She gave them presents.
67.3 Мы встретили их в парке. We met them in the park.
67.4 Учитель объяснил им правило. The teacher explained the rule to them.
67.5 Дети играют с ними. The children are playing with them.
67.6 Он рассказал им интересную историю. He told them an interesting story.
67.7 Мать приготовила для них обед. Mother prepared lunch for them.
67.8 Я позвоню им завтра. I will call them tomorrow.
67.9 Собака бежала за ними. The dog ran after them.
67.10 Мы пригласили их на свадьбу. We invited them to the wedding.
67.11 Она купила им новые книги. She bought them new books.
67.12 Без них скучно. It's boring without them.
67.13 Директор поблагодарил их за работу. The director thanked them for their work.
67.14 Я думаю о них часто. I think about them often.
67.15 Она пришла к ним в гости. She came to visit them.
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67.1 Я вижу их каждый день.
67.2 Она дала им подарки.
67.3 Мы встретили их в парке.
67.4 Учитель объяснил им правило.
67.5 Дети играют с ними.
67.6 Он рассказал им интересную историю.
67.7 Мать приготовила для них обед.
67.8 Я позвоню им завтра.
67.9 Собака бежала за ними.
67.10 Мы пригласили их на свадьбу.
67.11 Она купила им новые книги.
67.12 Без них скучно.
67.13 Директор поблагодарил их за работу.
67.14 Я думаю о них часто.
67.15 Она пришла к ним в гости.
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The Russian pronoun system is fundamentally different from English. While English uses "them" for all situations, Russian changes the form based on grammatical case.
Case Form When to Use Example Nominative они (oni) Subject They came Accusative их (ikh) Direct object I see them Genitive их (ikh) Possession/absence Their book Dative им (im) Indirect object I give them Instrumental ими (imi) Means/accompaniment With them Prepositional них (nikh) After prepositions About them
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Identify the verb - What action is being performed? -
Determine the relationship - Is "them" receiving the action directly or indirectly? -
Check for prepositions - If there's a preposition, add н- to the beginning -
Apply the correct case: -
Direct object → их -
Indirect object → им -
After prepositions → add н- prefix
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Using их for all cases - English speakers often default to их because it's the first form they learn -
Wrong: Я говорю с их (I speak with them) -
Correct: Я говорю с ними -
Forgetting the н- prefix after prepositions -
Wrong: о их (about them) -
Correct: о них -
Confusing dative and accusative -
Remember: Give TO them = им (dative) -
See them = их (accusative) -
Word order errors - Russian word order is more flexible than English, but pronouns typically follow the verb closely
English maintains one form "them" regardless of function: -
I see them (direct object) -
I give them a book (indirect object) -
I think about them (object of preposition)
Russian requires different forms for each function: -
Я вижу их (direct object) -
Я даю им книгу (indirect object) -
Я думаю о них (object of preposition)
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In Russian culture, the use of pronouns carries social significance beyond their grammatical function. When referring to "them," Russians often demonstrate respect or familiarity through their choice of construction.
While English speakers might say "them" uniformly, Russians may choose between direct pronoun usage and more formal constructions. In formal situations, Russians might avoid pronouns altogether, preferring to repeat the full noun phrase or use titles.
Russian culture traditionally emphasizes collective identity, and this is reflected in pronoun usage. The pronoun "они" (they/them) often carries implications of group membership and shared identity that may not be immediately apparent to English speakers.
During the Soviet era, collective pronouns gained additional political significance. The use of "мы" (we) and "они" (they) could carry ideological weight, distinguishing between in-groups and out-groups. This historical context still influences modern Russian language use, particularly in formal or political discourse.
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In business contexts, avoid overusing pronouns when referring to respected individuals or groups -
When learning Russian, pay attention to how native speakers alternate between pronouns and proper nouns -
Remember that pronoun usage can signal social distance or closeness -
In written Russian, pronoun usage tends to be more formal than in spoken Russian
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From "Евгений Онегин" (Eugene Onegin) by Alexander Pushkin, Chapter 1, Stanza 32:
"Они сошлись. Волна и камень, Стихи и проза, лед и пламень Не столь различны меж собой. Сперва взаимной разнотой Они друг другу были скучны; Потом понравились; потом Съезжались каждый день верхом И скоро стали неразлучны."
Они they сошлись came-together. Волна wave и and камень stone, Стихи verses и and проза prose, лед ice и and пламень flame Не not столь so различны different меж between собой themselves. Сперва at-first взаимной mutual разнотой difference Они they друг friend другу to-friend были were скучны boring; Потом then понравились liked-each-other; потом then Съезжались met каждый every день day верхом on-horseback И and скоро soon стали became неразлучны inseparable.
"They came together. Wave and stone, verses and prose, ice and flame are not so different from each other. At first, through mutual differences, they were boring to each other; then they grew to like each other; then they met every day on horseback and soon became inseparable."
Они сошлись. Волна и камень, Стихи и проза, лед и пламень Не столь различны меж собой. Сперва взаимной разнотой Они друг другу были скучны; Потом понравились; потом Съезжались каждый день верхом И скоро стали неразлучны.
This passage masterfully uses pronoun forms to describe the developing friendship between Eugene Onegin and Vladimir Lensky. Note how Pushkin employs different cases: -
Они (nominative) - as the subject "they" -
друг другу - reciprocal construction meaning "to each other" (dative case) -
меж собой - "between themselves" (instrumental case)
The pronouns create a sense of intimacy and connection, tracking the progression from strangers to inseparable friends. The repetition of "они" emphasizes their unity while the various case forms show the complexity of their interaction.
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67.16 Царь tsar позвал called их them во to дворец palace и and сказал said им them загадку riddle
67.17 Три three брата brothers пошли went искать to-seek счастье fortune, но but только only младший youngest из of них them нашёл found его it
67.18 Баба Baba Яга Yaga хотела wanted съесть to-eat их them, но but они they обманули tricked её her
67.19 Волшебник wizard дал gave им them три three желания wishes, и and они they использовали used их them мудро wisely
67.20 Принцесса princess ждала waited их them в in высокой high башне tower за beyond семью seven морями seas
67.21 Злая evil мачеха stepmother отправила sent их them в into тёмный dark лес forest, надеясь hoping избавиться to-get-rid от of них them
67.22 Добрая kind фея fairy помогла helped им them найти to-find дорогу way домой home и and защитила protected их them
67.23 Жар-птица firebird прилетела flew к to ним them ночью at-night и and осветила illuminated путь path перед before ними them
67.24 Старик old-man рассказал told им them тайну secret заколдованного enchanted замка castle и and предупредил warned их them
67.25 Золотая golden рыбка fish исполнила fulfilled для for них them все all желания wishes, кроме except последнего last
67.26 Иван-царевич Ivan-tsarevich встретил met их them на on перекрёстке crossroads трёх three дорог roads и and присоединился joined к to ним them
67.27 Кощей Koschei Бессмертный Deathless похитил kidnapped их them, но but храбрый brave богатырь warrior освободил freed их them
67.28 Волшебное magic зеркало mirror показало showed им them будущее future, и and они they изменили changed свою their судьбу fate
67.29 Лесные forest духи spirits окружили surrounded их them, танцуя dancing вокруг around них them при by лунном moon свете light
67.30 В in конце end сказки tale царь tsar наградил rewarded их them и and устроил arranged для for них them великий great пир feast
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67.16 Царь позвал их во дворец и сказал им загадку. The tsar called them to the palace and told them a riddle.
67.17 Три брата пошли искать счастье, но только младший из них нашёл его. Three brothers went to seek their fortune, but only the youngest of them found it.
67.18 Баба Яга хотела съесть их, но они обманули её. Baba Yaga wanted to eat them, but they tricked her.
67.19 Волшебник дал им три желания, и они использовали их мудро. The wizard gave them three wishes, and they used them wisely.
67.20 Принцесса ждала их в высокой башне за семью морями. The princess waited for them in a high tower beyond seven seas.
67.21 Злая мачеха отправила их в тёмный лес, надеясь избавиться от них. The evil stepmother sent them into the dark forest, hoping to get rid of them.
67.22 Добрая фея помогла им найти дорогу домой и защитила их. The kind fairy helped them find their way home and protected them.
67.23 Жар-птица прилетела к ним ночью и осветила путь перед ними. The firebird flew to them at night and illuminated the path before them.
67.24 Старик рассказал им тайну заколдованного замка и предупредил их. The old man told them the secret of the enchanted castle and warned them.
67.25 Золотая рыбка исполнила для них все желания, кроме последнего. The golden fish fulfilled all their wishes for them, except the last one.
67.26 Иван-царевич встретил их на перекрёстке трёх дорог и присоединился к ним. Ivan-tsarevich met them at the crossroads of three roads and joined them.
67.27 Кощей Бессмертный похитил их, но храбрый богатырь освободил их. Koschei the Deathless kidnapped them, but a brave warrior freed them.
67.28 Волшебное зеркало показало им будущее, и они изменили свою судьбу. The magic mirror showed them the future, and they changed their fate.
67.29 Лесные духи окружили их, танцуя вокруг них при лунном свете. Forest spirits surrounded them, dancing around them in the moonlight.
67.30 В конце сказки царь наградил их и устроил для них великий пир. At the end of the tale, the tsar rewarded them and arranged a great feast for them.
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67.16 Царь позвал их во дворец и сказал им загадку.
67.17 Три брата пошли искать счастье, но только младший из них нашёл его.
67.18 Баба Яга хотела съесть их, но они обманули её.
67.19 Волшебник дал им три желания, и они использовали их мудро.
67.20 Принцесса ждала их в высокой башне за семью морями.
67.21 Злая мачеха отправила их в тёмный лес, надеясь избавиться от них.
67.22 Добрая фея помогла им найти дорогу домой и защитила их.
67.23 Жар-птица прилетела к ним ночью и осветила путь перед ними.
67.24 Старик рассказал им тайну заколдованного замка и предупредил их.
67.25 Золотая рыбка исполнила для них все желания, кроме последнего.
67.26 Иван-царевич встретил их на перекрёстке трёх дорог и присоединился к ним.
67.27 Кощей Бессмертный похитил их, но храбрый богатырь освободил их.
67.28 Волшебное зеркало показало им будущее, и они изменили свою судьбу.
67.29 Лесные духи окружили их, танцуя вокруг них при лунном свете.
67.30 В конце сказки царь наградил их и устроил для них великий пир.
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Russian fairy tales demonstrate the full range of pronoun cases, often within single sentences. The genre's narrative style provides excellent examples of how "them" functions in different grammatical contexts.
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Sequential Actions with Different Cases -
позвал их (called them - accusative) -
сказал им (told them - dative) -
This pattern shows how verbs determine case usage -
Prepositional Phrases in Fairy Tales -
к ним (to them) -
от них (from them) -
вокруг них (around them) -
для них (for them) -
перед ними (before them) -
Reciprocal and Reflexive Constructions Russian fairy tales often use constructions that don't translate directly to English "them"
Russian fairy tales preserve archaic pronoun usage that modern speakers might not use: -
More formal constructions -
Poetic word order affecting pronoun placement -
Traditional phrases maintaining old case endings
Fairy tales provide memorable contexts for pronoun usage because: -
Repetitive structures reinforce patterns -
Clear character relationships demonstrate case functions -
Action-oriented narratives show verbs governing different cases -
Traditional formulas preserve authentic Russian syntax
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This lesson is part of the Latinum Institute's innovative language learning series, designed specifically for autodidacts seeking to master foreign languages through systematic, word-by-word study. The course methodology, developed by Evan der Millner BA MA (Cantab. NZ, London), draws on classical language pedagogy adapted for modern self-directed learners.
The Latinum Institute's approach, detailed at latinum.substack.com, emphasizes: -
Granular, word-by-word analysis for complete comprehension -
Authentic literary texts to provide cultural and linguistic context -
Progressive difficulty allowing natural skill development -
Complete, non-truncated lessons suitable for immediate study
Evan der Millner has been creating online language learning materials since 2006, pioneering methods that combine traditional philological approaches with modern pedagogical insights. His work focuses on making classical language learning techniques accessible to contemporary autodidacts.
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Self-Contained Lessons - Each lesson provides all necessary information without requiring external resources -
Systematic Progression - Grammar concepts build naturally through repeated exposure -
Cultural Integration - Literary excerpts provide authentic language in cultural context -
Flexible Learning - Lessons can be studied at any pace, in any order
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Primary course materials: latinum.substack.com -
Latinum Institute resources and additional languages available through the main platform -
Evan der Millner's pedagogical approach combines elements from Natural Language Latin Courses, traditional grammar-translation methods, and modern communicative language teaching
The method employed in these lessons has proven effective for thousands of autodidacts worldwide, offering a structured yet flexible approach to language acquisition that respects both the learner's autonomy and the complexity of the target language.
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