ISORI

〜合(あ)う

JLPT N4:

each other / together

Says two or more people do something to each other or with each other: "each other", "together".

How to form it

  • Start from the ます form and replace ます with 合(あ)う: 助(たす)けます becomes 助(たす)け合(あ)う.
  • 合(あ)う is a godan verb: 助(たす)け合(あ)っています.
  • The partner is marked with と: 友達(ともだち)と話(はな)し合(あ)う (talk it over with a friend).

Examples

友達(ともだち)と助(たす)け合(あ)っています。

My friends and I help each other.

この問題(もんだい)について話(はな)し合(あ)いましょう。

Let's talk this problem over.

Notes

  • Some compounds have become words of their own: 話(はな)し合(あ)う (discuss), 付(つ)き合(あ)う (go out with, keep someone company).