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May 16, 2021 by Olga Put Spanish Grammar 0 comments

How to Use Reciprocal Verbs in Spanish

Have you already heard of reciprocal verbs in Spanish? Do you know how to distinguish them from reflexive verbs? Can you list 10 reciprocal verbs right now?

If you answered “no” to at least one of these questions, you should keep reading and I can guarantee that in the end, your three answers will be “yes.”

What about Reflexive Verbs?

Before we jump into reciprocal verbs, let’s have a quick look at reflexive verbs. In the beginning, students tend to confuse them but you’ll see, the difference is quite obvious.

Reflexive verbs express an action that a subject performs on itself. Many verbs that refer to personal care and daily routines are reflexive.

Yo me baño cada mañana.
I take a shower every morning.

Se levanta temprano. 
She wakes up early.

¡Péinate, por favor!
Comb your hair, please!

Me veo en el espejo, y veo que me parezco a ti, mamá.
I see myself in the mirror and I see that I look like you, mom.

reciprocal verbs in Spanish

PRO TIP! 

Be sure to accompany reflexive verbs with the proper reflexive pronoun. 

If you feel like you need more information on reflexive verbs, check out a Definitive Guide on When to Use Reflexive Verbs in Spanish. You may also learn How to Use Reflexive Verbs in Spanish Conversation.

And now, let’s move on to reciprocal verbs.

Reciprocal Verbs in Spanish

Reciprocal verbs are actions that two or more people do to each other. We use them with reciprocal pronouns that are always plural. It means you will only use these plural subjects: 

  • nosotros (we)
  • ustedes (plural you)
  • ellos, ellas (they)

María y Juan se besaron en el altar por primera vez.
Maria and Juan kissed each other at the altar for the first time.

¿Ustedes dos se conocen?
Do you two know each other?

Nos ayudamos cuando hace falta.
We help each other when necessary.

Nos miramos y nos abrazamos.
We looked at each other and hugged.

Se reunieron después de 20 años.
They reunited after 20 years.

¿Ustedes se quieren de verdad?
Do you really love each other?

How and When to use Reciprocal Verbs in Spanish

Reciprocal verbs express an action performed and equally received by two or more people. You only use them with plural subjects, and they need to be matched with correct plural form pronouns.

  • Nosotros – nos
  • Ustedes – se
  • Ellos, ellas – se

All these pronouns can be translated into English “each other” but sometimes it doesn’t seem necessary.

This is the formula:

(Plural Subjects) + reciprocal pronouns + verbs in plural form

Juan y Ana se conocieron en Madrid.
Juan and Ana met (each other) in Madrid.

Remember, everything goes in plural with reciprocal verbs: subjects, pronouns, and verbs.

Difference Between Reflexive and Reciprocal Verbs

Let’s put it together again. 

Reflexive verbs talk about actions that a subject (or subjects) perform on itself. They can be used both with singular and plural forms. 

Me levanto a las 7 AM.
I get up at 7 AM.

Se levantan a las 7 AM.
They get up at 7 AM.

On the other hand, reciprocal verbs in Spanish express an action that is performed and received by two or more people. They do it to each other. These verbs always go with plural forms. 

Ellos se aman.
They love each other.

Nos peleamos mucho.
We fight (with each other) a lot.

How to Avoid Confusion: Reflexive versus Reciprocal

Some verbs can be used as reflexive and reciprocal verbs at the same time and you might want to add the expressions uno a otro, or una a otra to avoid confusion.

Nosotras nos miramos. (reflexive)
We looked at ourselves.

Nosotras nos miramos una a otra. (reciprocal)
We looked at each other.

List of Most Common Reciprocal Verbs in Spanish

The following verbs are the most common reciprocal verbs in Spanish. The list isn’t exhaustive but it gives you a great list of verbs to start practicing.

SpanishEnglish
abrazarseto hug each other
amarseto love each other
animarseto cheer each other up
ayudarseto help each other
besarseto kiss each other
casarseto get married to each other
conocerseto get to know each other
despedirseto say goodbye to each other
divorciarseto divorce each other
enojarseto get angry at each other
escribirseto write to each other
estrellarseto crash into each other
hablarseto talk to each other
lastimarseto hurt each other
llamarseto call each other
matarseto kill each other
mirarseto look at each other
pelearseto fight with each other
reunirseto get together
sorprenderseto surprise each other
turnarseto take turns
verseto see each other

A Quiz on Reciprocal Verbs in Spanish

Quiz CTA

Start Your Quiz Now!

Let’s see if you have mastered the topic. Look at the following sentences and choose the correct form of the reciprocal verb.

1. Mi prima y mi primo se pelean mucho.

Correct! Wrong!

2. Ana y yo nos reunimos en Lima el año pasado.

Correct! Wrong!

3. ¿Ustedes dos se llaman todos los días?

Correct! Wrong!

4. Niños, no se maten por favor en estos columpios.

Correct! Wrong!

5. Mi hermana y yo nos sorprendimos con la noticia.

Correct! Wrong!

6. Estos tres se mandan muchos mensajes durante la clase.

Correct! Wrong!

7. Pedro y yo nos besamos.

Correct! Wrong!

8. Mi mamá y mi papá siempre se abrazan.

Correct! Wrong!

9. Los dos cochecitos se estrellaron.

Correct! Wrong!

10. Estos hermanos siempre se animan.

Correct! Wrong!

A Quiz on Reciprocal Verbs in Spanish
Wow, you've mastered reciprocal verbs in Spanish! Good job!

You're a pro

You've got a solid understanding of reciprocal verbs in Spanish and the quality of your Spanish sentences are exploding through the roof! You should feel proud of yourself.
You've almost mastered reciprocal verbs in Spanish. Your consistent practice is leading to better results!

You're almost there

As you keep up your hard work and practice, you're starting to understand better how to use reciprocal verbs in Spanish. For more study materials, keep up-to-date with our newest published blog posts at Homeschool Spanish Academy. *YOU'RE ALMOST THERE! You can do it!* Do you prefer learning with videos? Check out our YouTube channel Spanish Academy TV for the best Spanish learning content on the web!
Practice makes perfect! Keep on studying!

Keep on studying

Your motivation to learn Spanish is an essential ingredient to success! If you're ready to take your Spanish to the next level and master reciprocal verbs in Spanish, then join us for a free Spanish class with one of our friendly, certified, native Spanish-speaking teachers from Guatemala. Sign up today!

Keep Practicing!

Good job! I’m sure you’re now an expert on reciprocal verbs in Spanish and can easily distinguish them from reflexive verbs.

What’s your next step towards fluency? Practicing reciprocal verbs in Spanish in conversations. Don’t forget that you can always sign up for a free class with one of our native, Spanish-speaking teachers from Guatemala. It’s a great opportunity for using your theoretical skills in practice!

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Ready to learn more Spanish grammar? Check these out!

  • Llegar vs Llevar in Spanish: What’s the Difference?
  • 10 Essential Ways to Use “Que” in Spanish
  • Solo vs Solamente: What’s the Difference?
  • What Is an Infinitive in Spanish?
  • How To Use the Spanish Verb ‘Parecer’
  • Having Fun in Spanish Using the Verb ‘Divertirse’
  • How to Use the ‘Personal A’ in Spanish: Do’s and Don’ts
  • Hacer Conjugation: Free Spanish Lesson, Exercises, and PDF
  • Author
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Olga Put
Olga Put
Freelance Writer at Homeschool Spanish Academy
I'm a Spanish philologist, teacher, and freelance writer with a Master's degree in Humanities from Madrid. I speak Polish, Spanish, and English fluently, and want to get better in Portuguese and German. A lover of literature, and Mexican spicy cuisine, I've lived in Poland, Spain, and Mexico and I'm currently living and teaching in Madeira, Portugal.
Olga Put
Latest posts by Olga Put (see all)
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