nhau

Nhau is a Vietnamese term primarily used as a reciprocal pronoun or particle that marks mutual action or relationship between two or more participants. In standard Vietnamese, nhau usually appears after a verb or in combination with với to indicate that the action involves each other.

In practice, nhau is most often seen in phrases such as gặp nhau (to meet each other), nói chuyện với nhau (to talk with each other), and giúp đỡ lẫn nhau (to help one another). It can also appear with nouns or pronouns to emphasize reciprocity, as in tôn trọng lẫn nhau (to respect one another). The form with lẫn nhau is a common synonym that conveys the same idea of mutuality.

Usage and nuance: nhau conveys reciprocity rather than a one-sided action. It is versatile across informal and formal registers and is used with a wide range of verbs related to communication, action, and emotional interaction. For emphasis or stylistic reasons, speakers may opt for lẫn nhau or với nhau, but nhau remains the most widely used shorthand in everyday speech.

Notes on scope: While nhau denotes mutuality, it does not specify the number of participants; it can apply to two or more people. It is commonly taught in introductory Vietnamese to help learners express reciprocal actions clearly. In written Vietnamese, the usage is the same, though lẫn nhau may appear for slightly stronger emphasis.