Ch 32 · Lesson 17Spanish · Chapter 32 · Lesson 17 · Grammar primer

El uno al otro: each other or themselves?

When could mean each other or themselves: , a , mutuamente, and a . Plus the mistakes.

The short version

agrees with the people

The two sisters look after each other.

Why?

When each other and themselves could both fit, add . It agrees with the people: a for two women, a for a group. A forces themselves instead: a .

The same plural pronoun also means "themselves". Usually the verb or the scene settles it:

Reading	Spanish	English
themselves	`.`	They look at themselves in the mirror.
each other	`.`	They look at each other and laugh.
themselves	`.`	The children wash their hands.
each other	`.`	They love each other a lot.

When both readings would fit, add a few words. forces "each other"; a sí forces "themselves":

each othermasculinefemininepluralWhat do the colours mean?

agrees with the people. Two men, or a man and a woman, take the masculine; two women the feminine; more than two the plural:

The little a follows the verb's own preposition. (laugh at) gives :

Mutuamente (mutually) is the one-word version: mutuamente. (They respect each other.)

Going further: Reciprocal verbs at a glance and the rest of the guide, when you want them. This lesson does not need them.

Practise this lesson

One question at a time, mixed across the exercises in this lesson. Miss one and it comes back round before the end.

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Lesson 17 of 28 in this chapter