The reciprocal possessive pronoun (varandras)

To express mutual possession ("each other's"), Swedish uses the reciprocal possessive pronoun varandras. It is formed by adding the genitive -s to the pronoun varandra (each other).

We borrow each other's clothes.
Vi lånar varandras kläder.

The Indefinite Form

Like other possessives in Swedish, varandras requires the following noun to be in the indefinite form (e.g., kläder, not kläderna). It is completely invariable and never changes form, regardless of whether the noun is an en word, an ett word, singular, or plural.

They take care of each other's dogs.
De tar hand om varandras hundar.
The neighbors fetch the mail from each other's mailboxes.
Grannarna hämtar posten i varandras brevlådor.

In Context

You will often see the possessive varandras (each other's) and the object pronoun varandra (each other) used in the same sentence:

We feed each other's dogs and lend tools to each other.
Vi matar varandras hundar och lånar ut verktyg till varandra.

Varandras is also frequently used with abstract nouns to describe mutual traits and shared feelings:

We like to socialize because we love each other's laughter.
Vi gillar att umgås eftersom vi älskar varandras skratt.
We have similar problems, so we value each other's support.
Vi har liknande problem, så vi värderar varandras stöd.
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