isa't isa

Each Other

Level 3

Isa’t isa is the standard Filipino way to say 'each other' or 'one another.' It shows that an action is mutual between members of a group.

How It Works

The phrase isa’t isa is a reciprocal pronoun. It indicates that the members of a group are performing an action on one another, rather than on themselves individually.

1. Formation and Spelling
It is a contraction of isa at isa. Because isa ends in a vowel, the conjunction at becomes the enclitic -’t. Note that it is written as two words with an apostrophe: isa’t isa. Writing it with a hyphen or as one word is considered incorrect in standard orthography.

2. Usage with Verbs
It often appears after verbs that imply interaction. While Filipino has specific verb forms for reciprocity (like the mag-...-an circumfix), isa’t isa is frequently added for clarity or emphasis. For example, Nagmamahalan sila (They love each other) can become Nagmamahalan sila sa isa’t isa. Because it is reciprocal, it always requires a plural subject (e.g., sila or tayo).

3. Case Markers
The phrase can take different markers depending on its role in the sentence:
• ang isa’t isa: Used when the reciprocal phrase is the focus or direct object of the sentence (e.g., Mahalin ninyo ang isa’t isa - Love one another).
• sa isa’t isa: Used when it acts as the goal or direction of the action (e.g., Nag-uusap sila sa isa’t isa - They are talking to each other).
• ng isa’t isa: Used to show possession, equivalent to the English "each other's" (e.g., Respetuhin natin ang opinyon ng isa’t isa - Let us respect each other's opinions).

4. Reciprocal vs. Sequential
Do not confuse isa’t isa with isa-isa. While isa’t isa implies mutual interaction, isa-isa (often used with nang) means "one by one" or "individually."

Examples (5)

Nagmamahalan ang magkapatid sa isa’t isa.
The siblings love each other.
Word by Word: Loving-each-other the siblings to one-and-one.
Here, 'isa’t isa' reinforces the reciprocal nature of the verb 'nagmamahalan'.
Kailangang magtulungan ang isa’t isa sa oras ng kagipitan.
People must help each other in times of need.
Word by Word: Need to-help-each-other the one-and-one in time of emergency.
This shows the phrase used in a general sense for a group of people helping one another.
Nakilala namin ang isa’t isa sa paaralan.
We met each other at school.
Word by Word: Met by-us the one-and-one at school.
The phrase acts as the object of the meeting, showing the interaction was mutual.
Narinig nila ang boses ng isa’t isa.
They heard each other's voices.
Word by Word: Heard by-them the voice of one-and-one.
This demonstrates the use of the 'ng' marker to show possession (each other's).
Para sa isa’t isa ang regalong ito.
This gift is for each other.
Word by Word: For to one-and-one the gift this.
Using 'sa' before 'isa’t isa' to indicate the recipients of the gift.

Common Mistakes

Using a hyphen or writing it as one word.
Mahal nila ang isa't-isa.
Mahal nila ang isa’t isa.
According to the KWF (Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino), the correct spelling is two separate words with an apostrophe, not a hyphen.
Confusing 'isa’t isa' with 'isa-isa'.
Nag-usap sila nang isa’t isa.
Nag-usap sila nang isa-isa.
Use 'isa’t isa' for reciprocal actions (each other). Use 'isa-isa' for distributive or sequential actions (one by one).
Confusing 'isa’t isa' with 'bawat isa'.
Nag-usap ang bawat isa.
Nag-usap ang isa’t isa.
'Bawat isa' means 'each one' (distributive), focusing on individuals. 'Isa’t isa' focuses on the interaction between them.

How It Connects

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

isa't isaLevel 3Each Other

Learn This First

To understand 'isa't isa' (each other), a learner needs to know the word for 'one' (isa), the conjunction 'at' (and), and how they contract together using the linker system. This phrase literally translates to 'one and one' to express reciprocal action.

Words in This Pattern