Grammar Info

N3 Lesson 3: 16/23

合(あ)うTo or for one another, Mutually, With

Structure

Verb［ます］+ 合(あ)う

Details

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About 合う

When following the conjunctive form of another verb, the う - Verb 合(あ)う means to do that action in concert with another person/group. This is often translated as 'to mutually do (A)', or 'to do (A) for one another'. Realistically, it just means 'to do (A) reciprocally', with involvement from both sides being required. In this usage, 合(あ)う is considered to be a suffix.

This construction is often used with expressions like お互(たが)いに 'mutually', which simply emphasizes the point.

Fun Fact

While 合(あ)う is regularly translated as 'to fit', or 'to meet' in English, its meaning is somewhat broader in Japanese. 合(あ)う means to perform an action 'as one', where it is not possible (or would be difficult) to complete the action by oneself. Due to this, it is regularly used to describe ideal situations in which individuals should be doing something together, without thinking about their own personal gain.

  • こういう時(とき)こそ、助(たす)け合(あ)うのが大切(たいせつ)だよ。
    At times like this, it is important to help each other out.
  • 私達(わたしたち)は夫婦(ふうふ)なんだから、どんなことがあっても協力(きょうりょく)し合(あ)わないといけないよ。
    We are husband and wife, so no matter what happens, we need to cooperate.

Caution

合(あ)う may also be used to in regard to sports/contests. In these cases, it may seem like players are not doing the action 'for' each other, but involvement from both sides is required to make the act possible.

  • 全(ぜん)チームが賞金(しょうきん)をかけて競(きそ)い合(あ)う。
    Every team competed against each other with the prize money on the line.

Examples

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    高校(こうこう)の頃(ころ)、兄(あに)とドッキリをよく仕掛(しか)け合(あ)った...

    During our high school days, my brother and I often pranked one another…

    協力(きょうりょく)し合(あ)ったりしながら山(やま)をゆっくりと登(のぼ)った。

    We slowly climbed the mountain while aiding one another (among other things).

    EUで交流(こうりゅう)し合(あ)うことは重要(じゅうよう)だと考(かんが)えられている。

    In the European Union, (to do) mutual cultural exchange is considered important.

    「友達(ともだち)が苦(くる)しんでる時(とき)は、助(たす)け合(あ)うべきだね。」

    'Friends ought to help one another in times of trouble, right?'

    かなださき：「私達(わたしたち)、同時(どうじ)に告白(こくはく)し合(あ)ったんだよ！」

    Saki Kanada: 'We professed our love for one another at the same time!'

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