zueinander

Zueinander is a German adverb meaning “toward each other” or “to one another.” It denotes mutual orientation or relation and is commonly used with verbs that describe interaction, reconciliation, or mutual positioning. As a fixed word, it is written as a single, lowercase term.

Usage and typical contexts: in social or relational contexts, zueinander often appears with verbs such as halten, finden, or schauen, to express mutual support or togetherness. Examples include zueinander stehen (to be aligned with one another or to stand by one another), zueinander halten (to support each other), and zueinander finden (to come together or to reconcile). In spatial or physical contexts, it can describe two or more people turning toward or facing one another, for instance, turning zueinander.

Etymology and orthography: zueinander is formed from zu (to) and einander (one another). Einander is the older reflexive form meaning mutual action, while zueinander emphasizes direction or relation between parties. The standard spelling in modern German treats zueinander as a single word.

Relation to andere terms: zueinander is related to, but distinct from, einander. Einander is primarily a reciprocal pronoun used with verbs of mutual action (e.g., helfen einander). Zueinander emphasizes the directional or relational aspect—often describing how people relate, align, or address one another—while still conveying reciprocity.

See also: einander, gegenseitig, wechselseitig.

Overall, zueinander is a compact grammatical particle in German that conveys mutual relation or orientation, applicable to both social interactions and spatial arrangements, and is typically used in expressions of cooperation, agreement, or coming together.