Kilo Lingo
Spanish grammar Part of Chapter 32

CEFR A2-B1

3 min read

Test yourself (20 questions)

Spanish Reciprocal Verbs: How to Say Each Other

By Michael McGettrick and Sergio Linares-HernandesUpdated 12 October 2026

Spanish has no word for "each other". It uses , or with a plural subject:

Quick check

Three quick questions on what you have just read. The full practice is further down.

Pick the right one

0/3

Choose the pronoun that matches the subject.

  1. Ellos quieren mucho.

  2. Nosotros vemos mañana.

  3. ¿Vosotros conocéis?

  • . - We help each other.
  • . - They love each other.

Reciprocal verbs at a glance

each otherWhat do the colours mean?

The pronoun matches the subject, and the subject is plural, because it takes two:

SubjectPronounExample
. See you tomorrow.
¿ ? Do you know each other?
, . They love each other a lot.

These are the plural pronouns of reflexive verbs, doing a second job. is literally "we see each other", which is why it means "see you".

A singular subject works when it means a group: . (The couple love each other.)

The verbs that go reciprocal

each otherWhat do the colours mean?

Most verbs that take a person as their object (direct or indirect) can go reciprocal, and the verbs of meeting, talking and feeling do it all the time:

VerbSpanishEnglish
.They met at school.
.See you on Monday.
.The neighbours help each other.
.We write to each other every week.
.We call each other every day.
.We understand each other without words.
.They kissed at the door.
.They' always fighting.
.They don't speak to each other any more.

Take care with : . is "they call each other every day", but Ana Pedro. is "they' called Ana and Pedro". The rest of the sentence decides.

Each other or themselves?

each otherthemselvesWhat do the colours mean?

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

ReadingSpanishEnglish
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":

  • . - They deceive each other.
  • sí . - They deceive themselves.

El uno al otro: making it clear

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:

WhoPhraseExample
two, masc./mixed .
two women .
a group .
a group of women .

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

  • . - They laugh at each other.

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

Mistakes English speakers make

each otherfeminineWhat do the colours mean?
WrongRightWhy
already says each other
the verb agrees with
takes
two women: all feminine

What to do next

  1. Say three things you and a friend do for each other: , , .
  2. Do the story and the sort drill below.
  3. Then the infinitive as a noun: , .

Practise: test yourself

Complete the story

0/4

Choose the right form for each gap.

Two old friends

Ana y yo conocimos en el colegio. Ahora vivimos lejos, pero escribimos cada semana. Ana tiene dos hijas, y las niñas se cuidan . Mis hijos, en cambio, siempre pelean.

Gap 1 of 4

Pick the right one

0/6

Choose the pronoun that matches the subject.

  1. Ellos quieren mucho.

  2. Nosotros vemos mañana.

  3. ¿Vosotros conocéis?

  4. Tú y yo entendemos sin hablar.

  5. Las dos hermanas llaman cada día.

  6. Tú y Ana conocéis desde hace años.

Sort into groups

0/6

Does each phrase mean each other or themselves?

Tap a word, then the group it belongs in.

Spot the mistake

0/4

Each sentence has one mistake. Tap it.

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Frequently asked questions

How does Spanish say each other?
With the plural pronouns , and and a plural subject: (we see each other), (you help each other), (they love each other). There is no separate word for each other.
What is the difference between reflexive and reciprocal ?
Reflexive is themselves; reciprocal is each other. is they look at themselves in the mirror; is they look at each other and laugh. When both fit, forces each other and a sí forces themselves.
Is reflexive or reciprocal?
Reciprocal: we see each other, which is why it means see you. is see you tomorrow. Nobody hears it as we see ourselves.
How do you say each other with two women in Spanish?
a : a (the sisters look after each other). Two men or a man and a woman take ; more than two take a or a .
What does mutuamente mean?
They help each other. Mutuamente (mutually) is a one-word way to force the each-other reading, like : mutuamente, they respect each other.