Learn about reciprocal verbs in Spanish
Reciprocal verbs, i.e those that express an action that two or more people perform to each other, contain a reflexive pronoun (only the plural forms).
Have a look at the following examples:
You will always find these plural reflexive pronouns with reciprocal verbs: nos, os, se
Reciprocal verbs work in the same way other reflexive verbs do in terms of the position of the pronouns with conjugated verbs, infinitives, gerunds and imperatives.
Position of the reflexive pronoun with reciprocal verbs in Spanish
With an infinitive or a gerund the pronoun can be placed:
1. Right after and attached to the verb
2. In front of the whole verbal structure, not in the middle
¿Están se ustedes entendiendo?
Nos podemos escribir mientras estás en Alemania.We can write to each other while you are in Germany.
Podemos nos escribir mientras estás en Alemania.
With an imperative the pronoun can only be placed right after and attached to the verb
El uno al otro/ mutuamente
We sometimes reinforce the reciprocity adding "el uno al otro" or "mutuamente" to the sentence. For example:
Julián y Alberto se respetan.
Julián y Alberto se respetan el uno al otro.
Julián y Alberto se respetan mutuamente.
Julian and Alberto respect each other.
See also Using the imperative with reflexive pronouns: affirmative commands (El Imperativo) and Conjugate reflexive verbs in the present tense in Spanish (El Presente).
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