Grammar Info
N3 Lesson 3: 15/22

合(あ)う
to/for one another, mutually, with

Structure
Casual
Polite
Verb[ます+ 合う
Verb[ます+ 合います
Details
Register Standard
使用域 一般
Information
When following the 連用形(れんようけい) (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 接尾語(せつびご) (suffix).
This construction is often used with expressions like お互(たが)いに ‘mutually’, which simply emphasizes the point.
  • 彼女(かのじょ)と将来(しょうらい)事(こと)話(はな)し合(あ)う
    I am going to talk with my girlfriend about our future.
  • 子供(こども)たちおもちゃ取(と)り合(あ)う見(み)てお兄(にい)ちゃん事(こと)思(おも)い出(だ)した。
    The kids were fighting with each other over a toy, and that reminded me of my older brother.
  • 友達(ともだち)とポケモンカード見(み)せ合(あ)う
    My friend and I showed each other our Pokemon cards.
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)チーム賞金(しょうきん)かけて競(きそ)い合(あ)う
    Every team competed against each other with the prize money on the line.
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友達(ともだち)が苦(くる)しんでる時(とき)は、助(たす)合(あ)うべき。」
"Friends should help one another in times of trouble, right?"
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かなださき:「私達(わたしたち)、同時(どうじ)に告白(こくはく)合(あ)ったんだよ!」
Saki Kanada: "We professed our love for one another at the same time!"
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私達(わたしたち)はそのとき協力(きょうりょく)合(あ)うべきだったのに。
We should have cooperated (with each other) at that time...
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