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Expressing 'each other' with reflexive pronouns

When you first learn reflexive verbs, you learn that they describe actions done to oneself. However, when the subject is plural, Italian reflexive pronouns can take on a completely different job. Instead of meaning that people are doing something to themselves, the pronouns often express a reciprocal action.

This means the action is done to each other. While English usually requires you to add the phrase each other or one another to the sentence, Italian builds this meaning directly into the verb by using the plural reflexive pronouns ci, vi, and si.

Word list
ci vediamoA1 see you later ci vediamo = we see each other ci vediamo dopoA1 see you later ci vediamo dopo = we see each other later ci vediamo più tardiA1 see you later ci vediamo più tardi = we see each other later ci vediamo prestoA1 see you soon ci vediamo presto = we see each other soon ci vediamo domaniA2 see you tomorrow ci vediamo domani = we see each other tomorrow incontrarsiA2 to meet ci incontriamo = we meet up accordarsiB1 to agree si sono accordati = they agreed lasciarsiB1 to break up si sono lasciati = they broke up mettersi d'accordoB1 to agree ci siamo messi d'accordo = we agreed sposarsiB1 to get married si sono sposati = they got married mollarsiB2 to break up mollarsi = informal breakup expression incrociarsiC1 to intersect le strade si incrociano = the roads cross intersecarsiC1 to intersect le linee si intersecano = the lines intersect unirsiC1 to unite i gruppi si sono uniti = the groups united
Saying hello and meeting up

Some of the most common reciprocal phrases are used for everyday greetings. When saying goodbye, Italians frequently use variations of the phrase ci vediamo. This literally translates to we see each other, but it is the standard way to say see you later.

You can add time words to this base to create specific farewells, such as ci vediamo dopo or ci vediamo più tardi (both meaning see you later), ci vediamo presto (see you soon), and ci vediamo domani (see you tomorrow).

Ragazzi, io vado a casa, ci vediamo domani.
(Guys, I am going home, see you tomorrow.)

When you are actually scheduling a time to see someone, you will use the reciprocal verb incontrarsi (to meet, to meet up).

Io e Marco ci incontriamo davanti al cinema.
(Marco and I are meeting up in front of the cinema.)
Relationships and agreements

Romantic relationships naturally involve two people doing things together, making reciprocal verbs essential. You use them for major milestones like sposarsi (to get married) as well as for endings, using lasciarsi or the more informal mollarsi (to break up).

I miei nonni si sono sposati in questa chiesa.
(My grandparents got married in this church.)
Anna e Luca litigavano sempre e alla fine si sono lasciati.
(Anna and Luca were always arguing and eventually they broke up.)

You will also use these verbs when two or more parties need to reach a consensus. You can use a single verb like accordarsi or the common phrase mettersi d'accordo (to agree, to come to an agreement).

I due direttori si sono accordati sulla nuova strategia.
(The two directors agreed on the new strategy.)
Things and objects

Reciprocal verbs are not exclusively for people. When roads, lines, or groups come together, you use the third-person plural pronoun si to show how they interact. Verbs like incrociarsi and intersecarsi (to intersect, to cross each other) and unirsi (to unite) work perfectly for inanimate objects.

Le due strade principali si incrociano vicino alla stazione.
(The two main roads cross each other near the station.)
I piccoli fiumi si uniscono per formare un grande lago.
(The small rivers unite to form a large lake.)
Avoiding confusion

Because the same pronouns are used for both reflexive actions (themselves) and reciprocal actions (each other), sentences can occasionally be ambiguous. Usually, common sense makes the meaning obvious. For example, verbs like abbracciarsi (to hug), baciarsi (to kiss), and salutarsi (to greet) are almost always reciprocal.

However, if you ever need to clarify that an action goes back and forth rather than being done to oneself, you can add a vicenda or l'un l'altro to the end of the sentence. Both phrases explicitly mean each other and clear up any doubt.

Summary

When used with plural subjects, Italian reflexive pronouns often translate to each other rather than themselves. This pattern is used for daily greetings, relationship milestones, reaching agreements, and even describing intersecting objects. If the meaning is ever unclear, simply add a vicenda to confirm you mean each other.