Meaning and Usage
"互い" (たがい) means "mutual" or "each other" and is used to express reciprocal actions or relationships between two or more parties. It often appears with verbs that indicate interaction, such as 助け合う (help each other) or 尊重し合う (respect each other).
Common Collocations
- 互いに (たがいに): mutually, each other — used to emphasize reciprocal actions.
- 互いの + noun: each other's + noun — to indicate possession or relation.
- 互いに助け合う: to help each other.
Register and Nuance
"互い" is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It highlights a balanced or reciprocal relationship. It is often used in written and spoken Japanese.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 互いに with 一緒に (together). While 一緒に means doing something together, 互いに emphasizes reciprocal or mutual actions between parties. For example, "互いに助け合う" means "help each other," not just "help together."