Unidad 1 Etapa 3
Reciprocal Reflexives—H.O. #23
Reciprocal Reflexives are like regular reflexive verbs only with a twist. While we translate
reflexives as “self” (ex: Me baño/I bathe {myself}), we translate reciprocals as “each
other” ( ex: Nosotras nos telefoneamos/We telephone each other)
Further:
Reflexives
Me baño
Te bañas
Se baña
Nos bañamos
Se bañan
Reciprocals
I bathe (myself)
You bathe (yourself)
He bathes (himself)
We bathe (ourselves)
They bathe (themselves)
------------------------------------------------------------------------Nos hablamos We talk to each other
Se hablan
They talk to each other
Notice:
Because Reciprocal Reflexives are those actions that are done to the “each other”,there
needs to be 2 people involved to do the action to the “other”. Therefore, reciprocal
reflexives use the “we” and “they” forms only!
* I. Our lesson contains the following reciprocal verbs. Please write the Spanish
equivalent of the following English terms.
To phone each other
To know each other well
To get along well
To support each other
To forgive each other
To get along badly
To greet each other
To tell each other gossip
To hate each other
To help each other
To fight
To see each other
To complain
To tell each other secrets
To understand each other
*If the action of any verb can be done to one another, that verb can be used
reciprocally; there’s no need to worry about creating lists of those that can be used
reciprocally . For example:
Abrazar = to hug  Can you hug one another? If you can then you will say: nos abrazamos/se abrazan
Vivir = to liveCan you live one another? No! Then this verb cannot be used reciprocally.
II. Unscramble the following words to form sentences using the reciprocal reflexive
concept and lesson vocabulary. Hint: you will only be using the “we” and “they” forms of
the reflexive concept.
1. We support each other.  Nosotros nos apoyamos. or Nos apoyamos.
2. nos/nosotros/ayudamos _______________________________________________
3. bien/nosotros/conocemos/nos ___________________________________________
4. cuentan/ellos/secretos/se ____________________________________________
5. se/ellos/bien/llevan ____________ ______________________________________
6. perdonamos/nosotros/nos ______________________________________________
III. Put the following reciprocal Spanish phrases into English.
7. Nosotros nos perdonamos. ______________________________________________
8. Nos telefoneamos. ____________________________________________________
9. Ellos no se pelean. ____________________________________________________
10. Los Maize y Blue y los Buckeyes se odian profundamente.
____________________________________________________________________
11. Mi hija y yo nos entendemos perfectamente.
____________________________________________________________________
IV. Translate the following sentences using the reciprocal reflexive concept and lesson
vocabulary. Hint: you will only be using the “we” and “they” forms of the reflexive
concept.
12. We phone each other every night. ________________________________________
13. Maricruz and Adela tell gossip to each other. _______________________________
14. Carolina and I know each other well. ______________________________________
15. José and Adan help each other in Math. ___________________________________
16. My sister and I don’t write to each other. __________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
17. The students and teachers always greet each other.
____________________________________________________________________
18. My boyfriend and I see each other (verse) everyday.
____________________________________________________________________
V. Can you tell the difference between a reflexive construction and a reciprocal
construction? In the blank provided, tell whether it is a reflexive construction or a
reciprocal construction.
_______________ 19. Carlota se preocupa sobre todo.
_______________ 20. Mis hermanos y yo nos miramos una vez al año. Todos vivimos muy lejos.
_______________ 21. Agustina y Román se besan todo el tiempo. ¡Guácala!
_______________ 22. Roel y Maricela se esconden (hide) en los closets.
_______________ 23. Nos vestimos en ropa de mezclilla y de algodón.
_______________ 24. Alejandro y yo nos levantamos a las diez de la mañana.
_______________ 25. Alejandro y yo nos despertamos temprano el uno al otro.
_______________ 26. Alejandro y yo nos hablamos en las noches.
You can also add the phrase “el uno al otro (la una a la otra)” to emphasize the
reciprocal meaning!