GRAMMAR DETAIL

～合う

do with each other; do together

Attaches to a verb stem to show that two or more participants perform the same action toward one another or together.

Examples

二人は意見を出し合って計画を決めた。

The two of them shared their ideas and decided on a plan.

困ったときは、家族で助け合うことが大切です。

It is important for family members to help one another when problems arise.

学生たちは互いの作文を読み合った。

The students read one another's compositions.

Structure: Add 合う（あう） to a verb's stem before ます to express reciprocal or joint action.
Basic usage: 学生たちは互いの作文を読み合った。 means that the students read one another's compositions.

One-way and reciprocal action
- 友達を助ける describes helping a friend in one direction, while 友達と助け合う describes helping each other. The particle changes to match the reciprocal relationship.
Connection and conjugation
- In 読む→読み合う→読み合った, the first verb stays in its connecting stem form and 合う is conjugated. Do not connect it as 読んで合う.