hinanden

Each Other (Hinanden)

Level 2

hinanden = each other / one another. It is used when two or more people do the same thing to each other.

How It Works

The pronoun hinanden is essential for describing mutual actions. Unlike English, which sometimes distinguishes between 'each other' (two people) and 'one another' (many people), modern Danish uses hinanden for both scenarios.

Key Rules:

  • Placement: It usually follows the verb as a direct object (De elsker hinanden), an indirect object (De gav hinanden gaver), or follows a preposition (De taler med hinanden).
  • Invariance: It does not change based on gender or number. Whether the subject is 'we', 'you (plural)', or 'they', the form remains hinanden.
  • Possession: To say 'each other's', add an -s to get hinandens.
  • Subject Constraint: Hinanden can never be the subject of a sentence. The subject must be plural, but it can be either a noun (e.g., drengene) or a plural pronoun like vi, I, or de.

Important Distinction:
Be careful not to confuse hinanden with reflexive pronouns. De vasker sig means they are washing themselves individually, while De vasker hinanden means they are washing each other.

Examples (5)

  1. Vi hjælper hinanden.

    We help each other.

    Word by Word: We help each-other.

    A simple example of a reciprocal action where 'vi' (we) perform the action on one another.

  2. De elsker hinanden.

    They love each other.

    Word by Word: They love each-other.

    This shows a mutual feeling between two or more people.

  3. De tog hinandens hænder.

    They took each other's hands.

    Word by Word: They took each-other's hands.

    This uses the genitive form 'hinandens' to show mutual possession.

  4. Vi taler ofte med hinanden.

    We often talk with each other.

    Word by Word: We talk often with each-other.

    Here, 'hinanden' follows the preposition 'med' (with).

  5. I kender hinanden godt.

    You know each other well.

    Word by Word: You know each-other well.

    Used with the plural 'you' (I) to indicate mutual acquaintance.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'hinanden' with reciprocal -s verbs.

    Vi ses hinanden i morgen.
    Vi ses i morgen.

    Some verbs like 'ses' (see each other) or 'mødes' (meet each other) already have reciprocity built-in via the -s suffix. Adding 'hinanden' is redundant.

  • Confusing 'hinanden' with reflexive pronouns like 'os' or 'dem'.

    Vi elsker os.
    Vi elsker hinanden.

    'Vi elsker os' means 'We love ourselves.' To express mutual love, you must use 'hinanden'.

  • Using 'hinanden' as the subject of a sentence.

    Hinanden er glade.
    De er glade for hinanden.

    'Hinanden' can only be an object. It requires a plural subject (like 'de') to function.

How It Connects

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

hinandenLevel 2Each Other (Hinanden)

Learn This First

To use 'hinanden' (each other), you need to understand plural subjects and how pronouns function in the object position of a sentence. It is also helpful to understand the difference between reflexive and reciprocal actions.

Words in This Pattern

hinanden