Log inSign up

Les deux chanteurs se soutiennent l'un l'autre pendant la répétition.

Les deux chanteurs se soutiennent l'un l'autre pendant la répétition.
The two singers support each other during the rehearsal.
From Lesson 249:Explicit reciprocity (l'un l'autre)·French

Questions & Answers about Les deux chanteurs se soutiennent l'un l'autre pendant la répétition.

Why do we use l'un l'autre instead of les uns les autres if chanteurs is plural?
Because there are exactly two singers. You use l'un l'autre when the action is between exactly two people. If there were three or more singers, you would use les uns les autres.
Why are both se and l'un l'autre used in this sentence?
The pronoun se already makes the verb reciprocal (they support each other). Adding l'un l'autre acts as a reinforcer to emphasize the reciprocity. It also clears up any ambiguity, since ils se soutiennent could technically also mean they support themselves.
Why does the verb have a double n in soutiennent?
The verb soutenir (to support) follows the same tricky conjugation pattern as venir (to come) and tenir (to hold). In the ils and elles present tense forms, the n doubles.
Does répétition just mean repeating something?
It can mean repetition, but it is also the standard French word for a rehearsal in music, theater, or dance. Since this sentence is about singers (chanteurs), rehearsal is the right translation here.

Learn Les deux chanteurs se soutiennent l'un l'autre pendant la répétition and more in French

All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.

  • ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
  • ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
  • ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free
Start learning French →