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iel
/jɛl/
they (gender-neutral singular pronoun)
Iel est arrivé·e·x tôt ce matin.
They arrived early this morning.
informal
A gender-neutral singular pronoun used to refer to a person whose gender is not specified or is non-binary.
Iel a choisi de ne pas révéler son genre.
They chose not to reveal their gender.
Iel est très talentueux·se·x.
They are very talented.
The pronoun 'iel' is part of a set of gender-neutral pronouns in French, including 'iel', 'iels', 'ielx', and 'iel·le·x'. It is used to avoid gendered language and is commonly used in LGBTQ+ communities and progressive contexts.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Gender-Neutral Pronouns
In French, 'iel' is part of a set of gender-neutral pronouns that are used to refer to people whose gender is not specified or is non-binary. These pronouns are used to avoid gendered language and are commonly used in LGBTQ+ communities and progressive contexts.
Gold Rule
Consistency
When using 'iel', ensure consistency in your use of gender-neutral pronouns throughout your text to avoid confusion.
Word Origin
Derived from the combination of 'il' (he) and 'elle' (she), with the neutral ending '-el' to create a gender-neutral pronoun.
Usage Notes
The use of 'iel' is more common in written and formal contexts, especially in progressive or LGBTQ+ spaces. It is less commonly used in everyday spoken French but is gaining recognition as a tool for inclusive language.
Word Breakdown
iel
gender-neutral singular pronoun
pronounDictionnaire Français-Anglais