Questions & Answers about We praten met elkaar.
Why does the sentence use met when the English translation says 'to'?
In Dutch, the verb praten (to talk) is typically followed by the preposition met (with). So instead of saying 'talk to', Dutch speakers literally say 'talk with' (praten met).
How exactly does elkaar work in this sentence?
Elkaar is a pronoun that means 'each other' or 'one another'. It shows that an action goes both ways. In this sentence, it tells us that the people in the we group are all participating in the conversation together.
Does elkaar always come after the preposition?
Yes, when a verb requires a preposition (like met for praten), elkaar comes right after it. You treat it just like a regular pronoun. For example, just as you say We praten met hem (We talk to him), you say We praten met elkaar.
Could I use spreken instead of praten here?
Yes, We spreken met elkaar is also perfectly correct. Praten is often used for casual talking or chatting, while spreken (to speak) can sound slightly more formal, but both work well with elkaar.