elkar
Each Other: Elkar
elkar = each other. The auxiliary counts it as one third-person object: Elkar ikusten dugu (We see each other).
How It Works
1. The basic pattern. Anek eta Jonek elkar maite dute. (Ane and Jon love each other.) The subject is plural, and elkar is the object. elkar is never the subject itself, so it never takes the ergative -k: there is no elkarrek.
2. The auxiliary. Although "each other" means several people, elkar is grammatically one thing, so the auxiliary uses the singular-object forms of dut, duzu, du: dugu, not ditugu.
3. Case forms. elkar takes endings with no article:
- elkar: each other (object)
- elkarri: to each other, with verbs like lagundu (help), idatzi (write) and eman (give); the auxiliary then shows a receiver, as in diogu, diote
- elkarren: each other's
- elkarrekin: with each other, together (see -(r)ekin)
- elkarrengana, elkarrengandik: toward, from each other (elkar uses the animate endings)
4. Together. elkarrekin often just means "together", so the verb can be intransitive: Elkarrekin bizi dira. (They live together.)
5. Another way. bata bestea (the one the other) also works as "each other": Anek eta Jonek batak bestea maite dute.
Tip: For "myself, yourself", use bere burua instead. It follows the same third-person agreement.
Examples (6)
- Astero ikusten dugu elkar.
We see each other every week.
- Anek eta Jonek elkar maite dute.
Ane and Jon love each other.
- Elkarri laguntzen diogu.
We help each other.
lagundu takes a receiver, so elkar becomes elkarri and the auxiliary is diogu.
- Ane eta Jon elkarrekin bizi dira.
Ane and Jon live together.
- Bihar ikusiko dugu elkar!
We'll see each other tomorrow!
- Lagunek elkarri opariak eman dizkiote.
The friends have given each other presents.
dizkiote: several presents, one receiver (elkarri), plural givers.
Common Mistakes
Using a plural-object auxiliary.
Elkar ikusten ditugu.Elkar ikusten dugu.elkar counts as one third-person object, so the auxiliary is singular: dugu, not ditugu.
Forgetting the dative with verbs like lagundu.
Elkar laguntzen diogu.Elkarri laguntzen diogu.lagundu takes the person helped with -(r)i, and diogu already shows that receiver. Use elkarri.
Adding the article -a before the ending.
Elkarrarekin bizi dira.Elkarrekin bizi dira.elkar takes endings directly, without -a: elkarri, elkarren, elkarrekin.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Each other follows the reflexive.
Related Patterns
- -(r)ekinWith: -(r)ekin
elkarrekin (together) uses this ending.
Level 1 - -(r)iTo Someone: -(r)i
elkarri is the dative form, used with verbs like lagundu.
Level 2 - ukan: dut / duzu / duThe Verb to Have (Dut, Duzu, Du)
The auxiliary counts elkar as one object: dugu, dute.
Level 1 - diot / dizut / ditGiving and Telling
With elkarri, the auxiliary shows a receiver: diogu, diote.
Level 2 - -gan / -gana / -gandikPeople as Places
elkar takes the animate endings: elkarrengandik.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Practice elkar in Bubblegum
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