In French, reflexive pronouns like nous, vous, and se often show that an action is mutual—that people are doing something to each other.
However, a sentence like ils s'aident could technically mean "they help themselves" or "they help each other." To remove any ambiguity, or simply to emphasize the teamwork, you can add an explicit phrase after the verb.
Two People: l'un l'autre
When exactly two people are interacting, add l'un l'autre (each other) after the verb.
| My two friends help each other to read the sheet music. | Mes deux amis s'aident l'un l'autre pour lire la partition. |
| Consequently, the choirmaster and the singer look at each other. | Par conséquent, le chef de chœur et le chanteur se regardent l'un l'autre. |
Three or More People: les uns les autres
When referring to a group of three or more—like members of a choir—use the plural phrase les uns les autres (one another).
| To find the harmony, we support one another. | Pour trouver l'harmonie, nous nous soutenons les uns les autres. |
| That is why, in the choir, the members listen to one another. | C'est pourquoi, dans la chorale, les membres s'écoutent les uns les autres. |
| The participants look at one another to keep the rhythm. | Les participants se regardent les uns les autres pour garder le rythme. |
Your questions are stored by us to improve Elon.io