Reciprocal verbs are used to express the idea of reciprocity - doing something to each other. In Spanish, the plural forms (nosotros, vosotros, and ellos) of reflexive verbs are used to express this idea.

Some verbs can be used both reflexively and reciprocally, so the expressions el uno al otro or uno a otro can be added to emphasize the reciprocity. Note that these expressions are changed to agree with the subjects in gender and (sometimes*) number.

* I'm honestly not sure when to use these expressions in the singular or plural. If I find out, I'll update this lesson with the info. (If you know, please post to the forum.)

When you want to say "each other" but the preposition is not a, the reciprocal construction is not used; instead, the verb is used without a reflexive pronoun and the appropriate preposition replaces a in the expressions el uno al otro / uno a otro.

More about the Spanish reflexive:

• Reflexive pronouns
• Reflexive verbs
• Reflexive verbs with meaning changes
• Reciprocal verbs
• Reflexive se with unplanned occurrences
• Reflexive prepositional pronouns

More Spanish verbs

The Everything Spanish Verb Book, by Laura K. Lawless
Introductory lessons on Spanish verb tenses and moods, 250 verb conjugation tables, a list of 1,000 similarly-conjugated verbs, and a Spanish-English verb dictionary.

Subscribe to the free  e Learn Spanish Language weekly newsletter

©   Laura K. Lawless  All rights reserved.
About Me ~ About This Site