sa / si (Each Other)
Each Other: Sa and Si
Slovak usually says each other with the same small words it uses for oneself: sa and si.
How It Works
Sa for accusative verbs. If you would say poznať niekoho (know someone), then “know each other” uses sa:
- poznať sa – know each other
- vidieť sa – see each other: Uvidíme sa zajtra!
- stretnúť sa – meet
- objať sa – hug
- pozdraviť sa – greet each other
Si for dative verbs. If the verb takes a dative (see the dative), use si:
- písať si – write to each other
- volať si – call each other
- pomáhať si – help each other
- rozumieť si – understand each other, get on well
Who does it? The subject is plural: Poznáme sa. Or one person does it with someone else, using s + instrumental: Stretol som sa s Petrom. (I met Peter.)
Oneself or each other? Sa and si can also mean oneself, so Umývajú sa can mean they wash themselves. To make each other clear, add navzájom: Pomáhajú si navzájom.
After prepositions use seba: Rozprávali sa medzi sebou po slovensky. (They talked to each other in Slovak.)
Examples (6)
- Poznajú sa zo školy.
They know each other from school.
Word by Word: They-know each-other from school.
- Píšeme si každý deň.
We write to each other every day.
Word by Word: We-write to-each-other every day.
- Uvidíme sa zajtra!
See you tomorrow!
Word by Word: We-will-see each-other tomorrow!
- Súrodenci si pomáhajú.
The siblings help each other.
Word by Word: Siblings to-each-other help.
- Stretli sme sa pred kinom.
We met in front of the cinema.
Word by Word: Met AUX-we each-other before cinema.
- Rozumieme si aj bez slov.
We understand each other even without words.
Word by Word: We-understand each-other even without words.
Common Mistakes
Using sa with a verb that takes the dative.
Pomáhajú sa.Pomáhajú si.You help someone in the dative (pomáhať niekomu), so each other is si.
Leaving out sa.
Stretli sme v meste.Stretli sme sa v meste.Without sa the verb needs an object: Stretli sme Petra v meste. To say we met each other, add sa.
Using the long form seba to mean each other.
Poznajú seba.Poznajú sa.Without a preposition, stressed seba means themselves, as in knowing oneself well. For each other, use the short sa.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Before Each Other: sa and si, learn Reflexive Verbs With si. Reciprocal sa and si build on reflexive sa and si.
Related Patterns
- Verb + saReflexive Verbs with Sa
The same sa, which also marks reflexive verbs.
Level 2 - sebaMyself and Yourself: Seba
The long forms seba and sebe, used after prepositions: medzi sebou.
Level 3 - pomáhať / ďakovať / rozumieť + DativeVerbs with the Dative
These dative verbs take si for each other.
Level 3 - s / so + InstrumentalWith: S and So
Stretol som sa s Petrom: the second person comes with s.
Level 1 - The Dative Case for Recipients
Helps you tell which verbs take a dative and therefore si.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice sa / si (Each Other) in Bubblegum
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