The Reciprocal Marker กัน
In Thai, the word กัน is used to express that an action is mutual or collaborative, translating to "each other" or "together".
To show that multiple people are performing an action together or toward one another, place กัน immediately after the main verb.
This structure also works with stative verbs (words that describe states of being), such as describing mutual relationships. For example, if two people are close, they are close to "each other".
Using กัน with Objects
If the verb has a direct object, กัน is typically placed at the end of the phrase, directly after the object.
Collaboration and Teamwork
กัน is essential when talking about teamwork, negotiation, or mutual agreements. It frequently pairs with verbs like ตกลง (to agree), ปรึกษา (to consult), and ร่วมมือ (to cooperate).
Expressing "Taking Turns" and "Separately"
You can also chain กัน with another verb to describe the manner in which people do something. When placed after verbs like แยก (to separate) or ผลัด (to take turns), กัน acts as a bridge to the main action. This indicates that the subjects perform the following activity either separately or by taking turns.