〜合う au

〜合う（au）means “do to each other; mutually”. Attached to the masu-stem of a verb to show that two or more people perform the action toward each other reciprocally. Formation: V-ます（去ます）+ 合う

do to each other; mutually

N3

Formation

V-ます（去ます）+ 合う

Explanation

Attached to the masu-stem of a verb to show that two or more people perform the action toward each other reciprocally. E.g. 話す→話し合う (talk things over together), 助ける→助け合う (help each other).

Examples

こまったときは、みんなで助け合いましょう。
こまったときは、みんなでたすけあいましょう。
When we're in trouble, let's all help each other.
二人はおたがいの気もちを話し合った。
ふたりはおたがいのきもちをはなしあった。
The two of them talked over their feelings with each other.

Note

The action is mutual, so it always involves more than one party. 助け合う, 話し合う, 愛し合う, 知り合う are common fixed compounds.

FAQ

〜合う — what does it mean and how is it used?

do to each other; mutually. Attached to the masu-stem of a verb to show that two or more people perform the action toward each other reciprocally. E.g. 話す→話し合う (talk things over together), 助ける→助け合う (help each other).

〜合う — how do you form it?

V-ます（去ます）+ 合う

〜合う — any usage notes?

The action is mutual, so it always involves more than one party. 助け合う, 話し合う, 愛し合う, 知り合う are common fixed compounds.

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