bir-birini/bir-birinə

Case-marked Reciprocals

Level 3

The reciprocal pronoun bir-biri (each other) changes its form based on who is involved (we, you, or they) and what the verb requires (dative, accusative, etc.).

How It Works

To use this pattern correctly, you must follow a specific morphological stack:

[bir-bir] + [Possessive Suffix] + [Buffer 'n'] + [Case Suffix]

  • Step 1: Choose the Person. If the subject is 'we' (biz), use bir-birimiz. If 'you all' (siz), use bir-biriniz. If 'they' (onlar), use bir-biri.
  • Step 2: The Buffer 'n'. When using the 3rd person (onlar), you must insert a buffer 'n' before any case suffix (except the nominative). For example: bir-birini.
  • Step 3: Apply the Case. The verb determines the case. For example, the verb kömək etmək (to help) requires the dative case, so you say bir-birimizə.

Note: If a verb already uses the reciprocal suffix (like görüşmək - to meet each other), using the pronoun bir-biri is often redundant.

Examples (4)

  1. Biz bir-birimizə kömək edirik.

    We are helping each other.

    Word by Word: We one-one-our-to help doing-are.

    Here, 'bir-bir' takes the 1st person plural possessive '-imiz' and the dative case '-ə' because 'kömək etmək' requires the dative.

  2. Onlar bir-birini çoxdan tanıyırlar.

    They have known each other for a long time.

    Word by Word: They one-one-their-(n)-acc long-ago know-they.

    The 3rd person possessive '-i' is followed by the buffer 'n' and the accusative case '-ni' because 'tanımaq' is a transitive verb.

  3. Siz bir-birinizdən nə gizlədirsiniz?

    What are you hiding from each other?

    Word by Word: You one-one-your-from what hiding-are-you?

    The ablative case '-dən' is used here to indicate 'from' each other, attached to the 2nd person plural possessive '-iniz'.

  4. Uşaqlar bir-birinə baxıb güldülər.

    The children looked at each other and laughed.

    Word by Word: Children one-one-their-(n)-to looking laughed.

    The verb 'baxmaq' (to look) requires the dative case '-ə'. Note the buffer 'n' used for the 3rd person plural subject (children).

Common Mistakes

  • Omitting the possessive suffix or the buffer 'n'.

    Onlar bir-birə baxırlar.
    Onlar bir-birinə baxırlar.

    You cannot attach a case directly to 'bir-bir'. You must include the 3rd person possessive '-i' and the buffer 'n' before the case suffix.

  • Using the wrong person for the possessive suffix.

    Biz bir-birinə kömək etməliyik.
    Biz bir-birimizə kömək etməliyik.

    If the subject is 'we' (biz), the pronoun must reflect that with the '-imiz' suffix, not the 3rd person '-i/in-' suffix.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

bir-birini/bir-birinəLevel 3Case-marked Reciprocals

Learn This First

To use case-marked reciprocals, you must first understand the base pronoun 'bir-biri'. Since this pronoun functions like a noun with a third-person possessive suffix, you need to know how to apply case endings to possessive forms, including the use of the buffer 'n' before case suffixes.

Words in This Pattern

bir-biribir-birinibir-birinə