Reciprocal Verbs

Verbes pronominaux réciproques

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Reciprocal verbs are a type of pronominal verb, meaning they have both a subject pronoun and a reflexive pronoun. In the case of reciprocal verbs, the reflexive pronoun indicates that the action of the verb is exchanged between two or more subjects acting upon one another.

Par exemple…

Ils s’aiment.		They love each other.
Nous nous connaissons.		We know each other.
Vous vous parlez souvent ?		Do you talk to each other often?

Most common French reciprocal verbs

s’adorer		to adore each other
s’aimer		to love each other
s’apercevoir		to see each other
s’appeler		to call each other
se battre		to fight with each other
se chercher		to look for each other
se comprendre		to understand each other
se connaître		to know each other
se croiser		to cross, pass each other
se détester		to hate each other
se dire		to tell each other
se disputer		to argue with each other
s’écrire		to write to each other
s’embrasser		to kiss each other
s’entendre		to get along, agree with each other
se nuire		to harm each other
se parler		to talk to each other
se promettre		to promise each other
se quereller		to quarrel with each other
se quitter		to leave each other
se regarder		to look at each other
se rencontrer		to meet each other
se sourire		to smile at each other
se suffire		to suffice, be enough for each other
se téléphoner		to call each other
se voir		to see each other

 Note that most of these verbs can also be reflexive. To stress the reciprocal nature of the verb, you can include something like

• l’un l’autre – each other
• mutuellement – mutually
• réciproquement – reciprocally
• entre nous/vous/eux – between us/you/them

All of the above verbs require a reflexive pronoun when they indicate that the subjects are acting upon each other. But remember than they can also be used non-reflexively, to express the verb’s action directed at someone or something else (or nothing, in the case of intransitive verbs).

 En comparaison…

Ils se regardent.		Ils regardent la télé.
They’re looking at each other.		They’re looking at the TV.
Vous vous souriez.		Vous souriez.
You’re smiling at each other.		You’re smiling.

 Reciprocal verbs are just one type of pronominal verb. See the main lesson on pronominal verbs for details on using reciprocal verbs in different tenses and moods.

 Related lessons

• Pronominal verbs
• Agreement with pronominal verbs
• Introduction to French verbs
• Reflexive pronouns
• Subject pronouns
   

 En español

• Verbos recíprocos
   

 In italiano

• Verbi reciproci
   

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