Definition

1. Reciprocal pronoun:
   • Each other; one another: Used to indicate a mutual action or relationship between two or more subjects. It shows that the action or feeling is performed or experienced reciprocally by the subjects involved.

Usage Examples

• Reciprocal pronoun:
  • Họ yêu thương lẫn nhau. (They love each other.)
  • Chúng tôi tin tưởng lẫn nhau. (We trust one another.)
  • Hai đội giúp đỡ lẫn nhau trong trận đấu. (The two teams helped each other during the match.)

Advanced Usage

• "lẫn nhau" is often used with plural subjects (e.g., họ, chúng tôi, các bạn) or coordinated nouns (e.g., anh và tôi) to emphasize reciprocity.
  • Các thành viên trong gia đình nên lắng nghe lẫn nhau. (Family members should listen to each other.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nhau: A more colloquial and common variant of "lẫn nhau," often used in everyday speech with the same meaning.
  • Họ nhìn nhau cười. (They looked at each other and smiled.)

Synonyms

• Mutually: In a mutual manner.
• Reciprocally: In a way that involves two people or groups doing the same thing to each other.

Related Idioms

• "Có đi có lại mới toại lòng nhau": Literally "Having giving and receiving satisfies each other," meaning reciprocity is key to a good relationship. This proverb highlights the concept embedded in "lẫn nhau."
  • Trong tình bạn, phải biết có đi có lại mới toại lòng nhau. (In friendship, you must know that reciprocity satisfies each other.)