ara wa / ara wọn

Each Other and Ourselves

Level 2

Ara is followed by a possessor identifying the people concerned.

How It Works

Combine ara with a following possessor: ara wa, ourselves, and ara wọn, themselves. In the illustrated subject-related constructions, the participants match: a … ara wa and wọ́n … ara wọn. The possessors do not distinguish gender.

With plural participants, an ara object can receive reflexive, reciprocal or literal-body interpretations. Washing suggests attention to one's own body; greeting or helping can describe interaction within the group. Context must establish the intended reading. A reciprocal interpretation need not mean that every member acts on every other member.

Plural-shaped respectful pronouns can refer to one person, so their form alone does not establish several participants. Distinguish an ara object from fúnrara followed by a possessor: the latter emphasizes doing an action oneself. It does not simply replace the action's object.

Examples (3)

  1. A ń wẹ ara wa.

    We are washing ourselves.

    The subject and possessor identify the same people.

  2. Àwọn ọ̀rẹ́ náà ń ran ara wọn lọ́wọ́.

    Those friends are helping each other.

    Mutual help is the intended contextual reading.

  3. A kí ara wa ní òwúrọ̀.

    We greeted each other in the morning.

    The intended context involves greetings between group members.

How It Connects

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

ara wa / ara wọnLevel 2Each Other and Ourselves

Learn This First

Ara wa and ara wọn can mean ourselves/themselves or each other.