Reciprocal actions with plural pronouns

The idea

Use nos with nosotros, os with vosotros, and se with ellos or ustedes. Spain commonly uses vosotros; Latin America generally uses ustedes. Context or entre sí can clarify reciprocity.

Examples

• Nos saludamos al llegar.We greet each other when we arrive.
• Las vecinas se ayudan con la compra.The neighbours help each other with the shopping.
• Nos escribimos cada domingo.We write to each other every Sunday.
• Los amigos se abrazan en la estación.The friends hug each other at the station.
• ¿Os conocéis de la escuela?Do you know each other from school?
• Ustedes se escuchan con paciencia.You listen to each other patiently.

Watch out

A plural pronoun can also be reflexive: each person may act on themselves rather than on another person.

Try it yourself

1. Complete the reciprocal pronoun: Nosotros ___ llamamos cada semana, el uno al otro.

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   nos

   nos: the speakers call each other.

2. Complete the reciprocal pronoun: Las hermanas ___ miran la una a la otra.

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   se

   se: each sister looks at the other.

3. Complete the reciprocal pronoun: Vosotros ___ ayudáis el uno al otro en casa.

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   os

   os: the people addressed help each other; this form uses the Spanish vosotros.

Use it today

Describe two people greeting and helping each other.