Japanese word

お互い

Pronunciation

Romajiotagai

Meaning

  • adverbeach other

Example

私たちはお互いに助け合います。watashi ta chi wa o taga i ni tasu ke a i ma su

We help each other.

Illustration for お互い (each other)

More examples

困ったときは、お互いに相談しましょう。koma tta to ki wa o taga i ni sō dan shi ma shō

When we have a problem, let's talk to each other.

Core concept

Describes a shared action or feeling that passes between two or more people or things.

Common phrases

  • お互いに助け合うo taga i ni tasu ke a u

    help each other

  • お互いを理解するo taga i o ri kai su ru

    understand each other

  • お互いを尊重するo taga i o son chō su ru

    respect each other

Similar words

互いにtagaini: Expresses a reciprocal action or feeling in a formal or literary style.

Definition in Japanese

複数の人や物が、互いに同じ働きかけをするさま。fuku sū no hito ya mono ga taga i ni ona ji hatara ki ka ke o su ru sa ma

Word origin

The Japanese adverb お互い (otagai, "each other") combines the prefix お (o) with 互い (tagai, "each other"), a native word for the parties in a mutual relationship.

Usage tips

  • In conversation, お互いに (otagai ni) often comes before a verb, while English usually places each other after the verb to show the same reciprocal meaning.

Other meanings

  • mutuallyadverb

Related words

  • お互い様otagaisamasame herena-adjective

Word lists with this word