bir-biri

Each Other

Level 3

bir-biri + possessive + case = each other: bir-birimizni (each other, said by us), bir-biriga (to each other, said about them).

How It Works

1. Who the group is

  • bir-birimiz: we, each other
  • bir-biringiz: you (plural), each other
  • bir-biri or bir-birlari: they, each other

2. The case ending comes last
Add the case the verb needs after the possessive. See Case Endings After a Possessive and Which Case a Verb Takes.

  • bir-birini: each other, as the object (bir-birini tanishadi, they know each other)
  • bir-biriga: to each other (bir-biriga qarashdi, they looked at each other)
  • bir-biridan: from each other (bir-biridan uzoq, far from each other)
  • bir-biri bilan: with each other
  • bir-biri uchun: for each other

3. Always with a hyphen
The word is written bir-biri, with a hyphen, in every form.

4. The verb often takes -(i)sh
When the subject is they, the verb often shows the plural with Plural Verbs With -(i)sh: Ular bir-birini yaxshi tushunishadi. (They understand each other well.)

5. Each other is not themselves
For an action someone does to themselves, use Self: oʻz. Ular bir-birini maqtashdi. (They praised each other.) Ular oʻzlarini maqtashdi. (They praised themselves.)

Examples (5)

  1. Biz bir-birimizni yaxshi bilamiz.

    We know each other well.

    Word by Word: we each-other-our-(object) well we-know

  2. Ular bir-biriga yordam berishadi.

    They help each other.

    Word by Word: they each-other-to help give-(plural)

    Yordam bermoq (to help) takes -ga, so bir-biri takes -ga.

  3. Siz bir-biringizni qayerdan taniysiz?

    How do you two know each other?

    Word by Word: you each-other-your-(object) where-from you-know

  4. Ular bir-biri bilan telefonda gaplashishdi.

    They talked to each other on the phone.

  5. Bu ikki shahar bir-biridan uzoq emas.

    These two cities are not far from each other.

Common Mistakes

  • Leaving off the case ending the verb needs.

    Ular bir-biri yordam berishadi.
    Ular bir-biriga yordam berishadi.

    Yordam bermoq (to help) takes -ga, so each other must be bir-biriga.

  • Writing bir-biri without the hyphen.

    Biz bir birimizni yaxshi bilamiz.
    Biz bir-birimizni yaxshi bilamiz.

    Standard spelling always joins the two parts with a hyphen: bir-birimizni.

  • Using oʻz for each other.

    Ular oʻzlarini yaxshi koʻrishadi.
    Ular bir-birini yaxshi koʻrishadi.

    The speaker means they love each other. Oʻzlarini means themselves, so the incorrect sentence says they love themselves.

How It Connects

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

bir-biriLevel 3Each Other

Learn This First

Builds on Self: oʻz and Plural Verbs With -(i)sh.

Words in This Pattern

bir-biri