Reciprocal Actions in Spanish

---

Reciprocal verbs in Spanish (verbos recíprocos en español) are used to indicate reciprocal actions between people, objects or animals. Reciprocal actions contain a reflexive pronoun in the plural forms.

Reflexive Verbs vs Reciprocal Verbs

Reflexive verbs indicate that the action of the verb reflects back on the subject. For example, someone cleaning, showering or shaving himself or herself. On the other hand, reciprocal verbs occur when two subjects are performing the same action on each other. For example, two people helping, hugging or fighting each other. Also see reflexive verbs and pronouns in Spanish.

Using Reciprocal Verbs in Spanish

Reciprocal verbs are placed in the same way as reflexive verbs, in terms of the position of the pronouns with conjugated verbs, imperatives, infinitives, and gerunds.

• Use reciprocal verbs in mutual actions with the plural forms of reflexive verbs. The English equivalent of this use is the phrase ‘each other’.

Examples:

Sam y yo nos amamos.
Sam and I love each other.

¿Se están ustedes peleando?
Are you fighting each other?

Nos podemos llamar mientras esté en Grecia.
We can call each other while you’re in Greece.

• Reciprocal verbs used as imperatives. The pronoun comes right after as attached to the verb. Also see Stem-changing / Irregular Reflexive Verbs.

Examples:

¡Llévame contigo!
Take me with you!

¡Casaos mañana mismo!
Get married (to each other) tomorrow!

• To clarify the meaning of the sentence you can add: mutuamente, el uno al otro, los unos a los otros, la una a la otra, las unas a las otras.

Examples:

Carlos y María se ayudan mutuamente.
Carlos and María help each other.

Aveces nos ayudamos la una con la otra.
Sometimes we help each other.