bir-biri

Reciprocal Pronoun

Level 3

Use bir-biri to show that two or more people are doing something to each other. It acts like a noun and must change its ending to match the subject (we, you, or they) and the verb's required case.

How It Works

The reciprocal pronoun bir-biri functions as a noun in a sentence. Its structure follows a strict order:

1. Base: bir-bir
2. Possessive Suffix: Matches the subject (e.g., -imiz for 'we').
3. Case Suffix: Matches the verb's requirement (e.g., -ə for 'to/at').

Person Agreement:

1st Person Plural (We): bir-birimiz (e.g., bir-birimizi sevirik - We love each other).
2nd Person Plural (You): bir-biriniz (e.g., bir-birinizə kömək edin - Help each other).
3rd Person Plural (They): bir-biri OR bir-birləri. Note that bir-biri uses the buffer -n- before case endings (e.g., bir-birini).

3rd Person Declension Table:

Case	Form
Nominative	bir-biri
Genitive	bir-birinin
Dative	bir-birinə
Accusative	bir-birini
Locative	bir-birində
Ablative	bir-birindən

Usage Note: Reciprocal pronouns function as direct or indirect objects in a sentence; they are almost never used as the subject. While bir-birləri is technically more plural, bir-biri is extremely common for 'they' regardless of the number of people involved. Do not confuse this with the adverb bir-bir, which means 'one by one'.

Examples (4)

Biz bir-birimizə inanırıq.
We believe in each other.
Word by Word: We one-one-our-to believe-present-we.
Uses the 1st person plural possessive '-imiz' and the dative case '-ə' required by the verb 'inanmaq'.
Onlar bir-birini çoxdan tanıyırlar.
They have known each other for a long time.
Word by Word: They one-one-their-(acc) long-from know-present-they.
Uses the 3rd person possessive with the buffer 'n' before the accusative case '-i'.
Siz bir-birinizlə danışmalısınız.
You (plural) must talk to each other.
Word by Word: You one-one-your-with talk-must-you.
Uses the 2nd person plural possessive '-iniz' followed by the comitative postposition '-lə' (with).
Uşaqlar bir-birlərinə hədiyyə verdilər.
The children gave gifts to one another.
Word by Word: Children one-one-plural-their-to gift give-past-they.
Uses the pluralized form 'bir-birləri' to emphasize the group interaction.

Common Mistakes

Using the base form 'bir-biri' for all persons.
Biz bir-biri sevirik.
Biz bir-birimizi sevirik.
The pronoun must agree with the subject. Since the subject is 'we' (biz), you must use the 1st person plural possessive suffix '-imiz'.
Using the wrong buffer consonant for the 3rd person.
Onlar bir-biriyə baxırlar.
Onlar bir-birinə baxırlar.
In the 3rd person (bir-biri), when adding a case suffix that starts with a vowel, you must use the buffer 'n', not 'y'.

How It Connects

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

bir-biriLevel 3Reciprocal Pronoun

Learn This First

To use the reciprocal pronoun 'bir-biri' (each other), learners must understand how to apply possessive suffixes to nouns and how to attach case endings to those possessive forms, including the use of the buffer 'n'.

-n-Buffer N After Possessive
When case endings are added to 'bir-biri', the buffer 'n' is required between the possessive suffix and the case marker, which is a specific morphophonological rule.
Level 2

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bir-birini/bir-birinəCase-marked ReciprocalsLevel 3

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