French reflexive pronouns can be used to express reciprocity - "each other"

Written by Qualified French Expert Aurélie Drouard HKH, Licence d'anglais LLCE

Last updated: 2024-07-03

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In French, to express reciprocity, you can use reflexive pronouns.

How to use reflexive pronouns in French to express reciprocity

Look at the examples:

Nous nous aimons tellement.We love each other so much.

Vous vous envoyez des cartes de Noël tous les ans.You send Christmas cards to each other every year.

Elles se font complètement confiance.They trust each other completely.

Les deux chiens se fixèrent avec méfiance.The two dogs stared at each other suspiciously.

Bien sûr qu'on se déteste !Of course we hate each other!

Note that in French to express reciprocity (each other), you use the same reflexive pronouns se/nous/vous as to say themselves, ourselves, yourselves.

Therefore, in most cases, it's the context which will determine which kind of reflexives it is:

Les garçons se sont mordus.The boys bit each other.
The boys bit themselves.

In some specific cases, it can even change the meaning altogether:

E.g. s'entendre (reciprocity) = to hear each other

VS s'entendre (reflexive verb) = to get along

Ils ne s'entendent pas avec cette musique assourdissante !They don't hear each other with that deafening music!

Mes frères s'entendent très bien !My brothers get along very well !

REMEMBER that reflexive verbs take être in compound tenses!

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