elkaar

Each Other

Level 2

Use elkaar when two or more people perform the same action toward one another (e.g., 'We see each other'). It is the standard Dutch equivalent of 'each other' and 'one another'.

How It Works

The word elkaar is essential for describing interactions between people, objects, or abstract concepts. Unlike English, which sometimes distinguishes between 'each other' (two people) and 'one another' (more than two), Dutch uses elkaar for both.

Key Usage Rules:

  • Plural or Collective Subjects: You use elkaar when the subject refers to more than one entity. This includes people (wij, zij), objects (de puzzelstukjes), and singular collective nouns (e.g., De klas helpt elkaar).
  • Object Function Only: Elkaar can function as a direct object (Wij zien elkaar), an indirect object, or follow a preposition (met elkaar). Crucially, it can never be the subject of a sentence. You cannot say "Elkaar zijn vrienden"; you must say "Zij zijn vrienden."
  • Possessive Form: To say 'each other's', use elkaars. Note that unlike some other Dutch possessives, elkaars does not take an apostrophe because it ends in a consonant.
  • Spelling with Prepositions: Unlike pronominal adverbs, elkaar is written separately from prepositions (e.g., naast elkaar, voor elkaar). A specific exception is the adverb achterelkaar, which means 'continuously'; however, for a physical sequence, you write achter elkaar.
  • Fixed Expressions: Elkaar is frequently found in common phrases like in elkaar zitten (to be put together/work) or uit elkaar gaan (to break up/separate).
  • Registers: While elkaar is the standard form, you may hear mekaar. In the Netherlands, mekaar is considered informal, but in Flemish Dutch, it is a common variant. You may also see elkander in very formal or archaic texts.

Contrast with Reflexives:
It is important not to confuse elkaar with reflexive pronouns like zich.
Ze wassen zich means 'They wash themselves' (each person washes their own body).
Ze wassen elkaar means 'They wash each other' (Person A washes Person B and vice versa).

Examples (5)

  1. Wij hebben elkaar gisteren in de stad ontmoet.

    We met each other in the city yesterday.

    Word by Word: We have each-other yesterday in the city met.

    Here, 'elkaar' acts as the direct object of the verb 'ontmoeten'.

  2. De kinderen dragen elkaars jassen.

    The children are wearing each other's coats.

    Word by Word: The children wear each-other's coats.

    This shows the possessive form 'elkaars'. Note the lack of an apostrophe.

  3. Zij praten al uren met elkaar.

    They have been talking with each other for hours.

    Word by Word: They talk already hours with each-other.

    When used with a preposition like 'met', the words remain separate.

  4. Jan en ik begrijpen elkaar goed.

    Jan and I understand each other well.

    Word by Word: Jan and I understand each-other well.

    Even with a coordinated subject (Jan and I), 'elkaar' is used to show reciprocity.

  5. De papieren liggen door elkaar.

    The papers are all mixed up.

    Word by Word: The papers lie through each-other.

    This is a common idiom where 'door elkaar' means 'jumbled' or 'mixed up'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using an apostrophe for the possessive form.

    Zij gebruiken elkaar's fietsen.
    Zij gebruiken elkaars fietsen.

    In Dutch, the possessive 'elkaars' is written as one word without an apostrophe.

  • Using 'ons' when you mean 'each other'.

    Different MeaningWij zien ons in de spiegel.
    Wij zien elkaar in de spiegel.

    'Wij zien ons in de spiegel' is correct: each of us sees himself. To say we see each other, use 'elkaar': 'Wij zien elkaar in de spiegel'.

  • Using 'er ... mee' to mean 'with each other'.

    Different MeaningZij zijn er blij mee.
    Zij zijn blij met elkaar.

    'Zij zijn er blij mee' is correct, but 'er ... mee' stands for a thing: they are happy with it. For 'with each other', keep 'met' and 'elkaar' together: 'blij met elkaar'.

How It Connects

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

elkaarLevel 2Each Other

Learn This First

To use 'elkaar' (each other), you first need to understand plural subject pronouns because the action must involve more than one person. Additionally, since 'elkaar' functions as an object in a sentence, familiarity with object pronouns and the related concept of reflexive pronouns is essential.

Words in This Pattern

elkaar