French word

réciproque

Pronunciation

IPA/ʁesipʁɔk/

Meaning

  • adjectivemutual

Example

Ils ont une confiance réciproque.

They have mutual trust.

Illustration for réciproque (mutual)

More examples

Le respect réciproque renforce la relation.

Mutual respect strengthens the relationship.

Core concept

Two arrows moving toward each other and returning, showing an action or feeling shared in both directions.

Common phrases

  • confiance réciproque

    mutual trust

  • respect réciproque

    mutual respect

  • sentiments réciproques

    mutual feelings

  • relation réciproque

    mutual relationship

Similar words

mutuel: Describing feelings or actions experienced or expressed by both parties.
partagé: Describing something possessed or experienced together by several people.

Definition in French

Qui désigne une action, un sentiment ou une relation exercé(e) mutuellement entre deux personnes ou deux choses.

Word origin

Réciproque is a learned borrowing from Latin reciprocus, meaning "returning" or "alternating," which developed into the sense of mutual exchange in French.

Usage tips

  • Réciproque agrees with the noun in number but not in gender at singular: une confiance réciproque and des relations réciproques.

Opposites

  • unilatéralunilateraladjective
  • unidirectionnelunidirectionaladjective

Related words

Word lists with this word