Reciprocal “Se” P.6

Reciprocal Actions: Reciprocal Actions: involve two or more people doing something to or for each other, such as helping one another, hugging, or calling one another.

The use requires the pronouns “se” and “nos” The reflexive pronouns “se” and “nos” express a shared or reciprocal action between two people or things. In this context, the reciprocal pronouns mean (to) one another or (to) each other.

Only the plural forms of the reflexive pronouns NOS and SE are used to express reciprocal actions because the action must involve more than one person or thing

Reciprocal pronouns Nosotros = Nos “Ourselves" or “each other” Ellas/ellos/Uds. = Se “themselves" or "each other." These pronouns are identical to the reflexive pronouns, but have a different meaning. The rules for the placement of reciprocal pronouns are the same as those of the reflexive pronouns. A sentence using "each other" indicates a reciprocal action, and requires the action of more then one person.

Ejemplos Se ayudaron. They helped themselves. They helped each other. Se golpean. They are hitting themselves. They are hitting each other. Nos dañamos. We hurt ourselves. We hurt each other. Nos amamos. We love ourselves. We love each other.

Examples of pronoun placement: One verb, one option: ( You place the pronoun in front of the conjugated verb) One verb, one option: -Nosotros nos escribimos todos los días. We write to each other every day. - Se ven cada sábado. Nosotros nos escribimos todos los días. We write to each other every day. Se ven cada sábado. They see each other every Saturday. Two verbs, two options: ( You can place the pronoun in front of conjugated verb or attach it to the infinitive) Vamos a vernos mañana. or Nos vamos a ver mañana. We are going to see each other tomorrow.

Note This use is optional! Some verbs can be used both reflexively and reciprocally, so the expressions el uno al otro or uno a otro, which is a rough equivalent of “each other,” can be added to emphasize the reciprocal use. These expressions are changed to agree with the subjects in gender and (sometimes*) number. Ex: Nosotras nos ayudamos una a otra. We help each other. Ex: Ellos se mataron los unos a los otros. They killed each other. This use is optional!

Another way to remember pronoun placement. When there is an infinitive in the sentence, the pronoun either before the conjugated verb or attached to the infinitive or participle.

For reciprocal reflexes (reciprocal constructions) you may use as a clarifyer mutuamente or one of the following: (el) uno a(l) otro = (to) each other (two persons, male or one male and one female) (la) una a la otra = (to) each other (two persons, both female) (los) unos a (los) otros = (to) each other (more than two persons male or all male or male and female) (las) unas a (las) otras = (to) each other (more than two persons, all female) Note: The definite article is optional. The preposition a is used in these samples, but is often replaced by other prepositions depending on individual sentence.