l'un l'autre
/l‿œ̃ l‿otʁ/
In French, 'each other' is translated as l'un l'autre.
While it can be used for emphasis or in specific formal constructions, it is often more natural in French to use a reflexive pronoun (like se) to express 'each other' depending on the verb.
Meaning: to one another, one to the other (pron)
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, l'un l'autre means 'one the other'. It is composed of the definite articles and the indefinite pronouns un and autre.
Which one should you use?
In many common reflexive constructions, French uses a reflexive pronoun (such as se) to express 'each other' without needing to include the full phrase l'un l'autre.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form changes based on the gender and number of the people involved. If the people involved are exclusively female, you use the feminine l'une l'autre.
How do you pronounce it?
/l‿œ̃ l‿otʁ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use l'un l'autre as a direct object for all verbs.
Did you know?
- When referring to a group of three or more people, the phrase shifts to les uns les autres. This creates a grammatical distinction between a pair and a crowd that English does not make with 'each other'.
- The word autre in l'un l'autre is a linguistic relative of the English word 'alter', as both derive from the Latin 'alter' meaning 'the other of two'.
- Using l'un l'autre in a modern conversation can make a speaker sound like they are reciting poetry or a classic novel. It carries a literary weight that 'each other' does not have in English.
Examples in context
- Nous avons l'un l'autre.We've got each other.This sentence shows how to use l'un l'autre to express possession.Tatoeba #5066844 by sacredceltic, translation #3310077 by CK
- Pardonnez-vous l'un l'autre !Forgive each other!This sentence uses l'un l'autre in an imperative context for forgiveness.Tatoeba #8304797 by Micsmithel, translation #9131372 by megamanenm
- Tous s'aidaient l'un l'autre.Everyone helped each other out.This sentence demonstrates the use of l'un l'autre to describe mutual aid.Tatoeba #10395034 by Rovo, translation #10393577 by shekitten
- Ils se motivent les uns les autres.They motivate each other.
- Les étudiants s'entraident pour préparer le devoir.The students help each other to prepare the assignment.
- 37 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Chloé are discussing how they manage their friendship.
- GabrielOn doit se soutenir l'un l'autre.We must support each other.
- ChloéC'est vrai, on s'aime beaucoup.That's true, we love each other very much.
- GabrielOn se fait toujours confiance.We always trust each other.
- ChloéC'est la base de notre amitié.That is the foundation of our friendship.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “each other” translations and entries l'un l'autre, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
