This means people do something together. They do it to each other. Or they do it with each other.
Verb [stem] + 合うPrimary
This means people do something together. They do it to each other. Or they do it with each other.
私たちは長い時間話し合った。
We talked with each other for a long time.
彼らは些細なことでいがみ合ってばかりで、決して助け合おうとしない。
They just bicker with each other over trivial things and never try to help one another.
この件については、関係部署と相談し合う必要があります。
Regarding this matter, it is necessary to consult with the relevant departments.
お互いを理解し合った二人は、ついに結婚した。
The two, who came to understand each other, finally got married.
駅で友達と落ち合ってから映画館に行きます。
I'll meet up with my friend at the station and then go to the movie theater.
Imagine two mirrors facing each other. They reflect the same image back and forth. This grammar shows people doing the same thing to each other.
This is different from 〜合う. 〜合う means people do something together. For example, they talk together. 〜返す means you do something back to someone. For example, you talk back to them.
Don't use this when an action is done alone. For example, you cannot say "sleep with each other" using this form. This form is for actions that people do together. It must make sense for two or more people to do the action to or with each other. It cannot be used for actions like sleeping or dying.
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