Reflexive and reciprocal meaning
Distinguish sich from einander.
The rule
Reflexive pronouns can mean oneself or, in the plural, each other. Use einander when you need an explicitly reciprocal meaning; learn each verb’s required case.
sich = oneself/each other · einander = explicitly each other
Match reflexive pronouns to the subject and learn whether the verb requires accusative or dative.
With plural subjects, uns/euch/sich may be reflexive or reciprocal depending on meaning.
Use einander when you need to state mutual action unambiguously, especially after prepositions.
Core forms and structures
Use this table as a reference, then retrieve the forms without looking.
| Form | Function | German example | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| acc. reflexive | mich/dich/sich/uns/euch/sich | Wir beeilen uns. | We hurry. |
| dat. reflexive | mir/dir/sich/uns/euch/sich | Ich wasche mir die Hände. | I wash my hands. |
| reciprocal | uns/euch/sich | Sie treffen sich. | They meet. |
| explicit reciprocal | einander | Sie helfen einander. | They help each other. |
German examples with English meanings
Ich erinnere mich an den Termin.
I remember the appointment.
Sich erinnern an uses accusative reflexive mich.
Du interessierst dich für Kunst.
You are interested in art.
Sich interessieren für uses dich with du.
Wir treffen uns vor dem Kino.
We meet in front of the cinema.
Wir requires uns; the meaning is reciprocal.
Die Nachbarn helfen einander.
The neighbours help each other.
Einander makes mutual help explicit.
Ich wasche mir die Hände.
I wash my hands.
With a separate body-part object, the reflexive pronoun is dative.
Sie unterhalten sich miteinander.
They talk with each other.
Ihr müsst euch beeilen.
You all have to hurry.
Er kümmert sich um seine Mutter.
He takes care of his mother.
Wir kennen uns seit Jahren.
We have known each other for years.
Die Teams spielen gegeneinander.
The teams play against each other.
Common mistakes
Incorrect: Sie unterhalten einander mit.
Correct: Sie unterhalten sich miteinander.
Preposition + einander forms miteinander.
Incorrect: Ihr müsst sich beeilen.
Correct: Ihr müsst euch beeilen.
Ihr requires euch after the modal.
Incorrect: Er kümmert ihn um seine Mutter.
Correct: Er kümmert sich um seine Mutter.
Sich kümmern um is a fixed reflexive unit.
Incorrect: Wir kennen uns selbst seit Jahren.
Correct: Wir kennen uns seit Jahren.
Plural uns naturally has reciprocal meaning here.
Incorrect: Die Teams spielen gegen sich.
Correct: Die Teams spielen gegeneinander.
Gegen + einander combines as gegeneinander.
Details and useful distinctions
Learn fixed prepositional reflexive verbs as complete units: sich erinnern an, sich interessieren für, sich kümmern um.
Practise this grammar
First match the pronoun to the subject; then ask whether the action returns individually or passes mutually. Use einander when mutual meaning needs to be explicit.
Open Reflexive and reciprocal meaning exercises →
For source references and editorial level notes, see the grammar reference. You can report a correction if an explanation or example seems wrong.