Lesson 26: Reciprocal constructions / Costruzioni reciproche

Reciprocal constructions express "each other" or "one another". Often they are confused with reflexive verbs, but it is important to remember that reciprocal constructions require two or more people, and, as such, are only applied to verbs in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd person plural (noi, voi, loro):

Ci is used with noi.
Vi is used with voi.
Si is used with loro.

Remember that in compound tenses, reciprocal verbs require essere (just like reflexive verbs) -- as such, the past participles must agree in gender and in number with the subject.

Let's look at some examples below:

• Non ci parliamo.
  We are not talking to each other.
  
  Vi fate i regali per Natale?
  Are you exchanging gifts for Christmas (with each other)?
  
  Si guardano con disgusto.
  They are looking at each with disgust.
  
  Ci siamo incontrati al centro commerciale.
  We ran into each other at the mall.
  
  Vi siete aiutati ieri sera?
  Did you help each other yesterday evening?
  
  Si sono lasciati due settimane fa.
  They broke up two weeks ago.
  

Any verb can have this construction, but below is a common list of verbs that can express actions reciprocally:

abbracciarsi to hug, to embrace each other
aiutarsi to help each other
baciarsi to kiss each other
capirsi to understand each other
farsi regali to exchange gifts (with each other)
guardarsi to look at each other
incontrarsi to run into each other
innamorarsi to fall in love with each other
lasciarsi to leave each other; to break up (a relationship)
parlarsi to talk to each other
salutarsi to greet each other
scriversi to write to each other
telefonarsi to phone each other
vedersi to see each other