The English reciprocal pronouns are 'each other' and 'one another'. In Dutch we have three reciprocal pronouns:
English | Dutch | Application
each other | elkaar | most common
elkander | formal |
mekaar | informal, colloquial |
Examples
We hebben elkaar net gesproken. | We just spoke to each other.
Belooft u trouw aan elkander tot de dood u scheidt? | Do you promise to be faithful to each other until death parts you?
Ze hebben mekaar toch? | They have each other, don't they?
'Mekaar' is also used in the Dutch expression "hij heeft het goed voor mekaar", meaning "he really made it (materially)".
Possessive reciprocal pronoun
To turn the reciprocal pronoun into a possessive pronoun, we simply add, s:
Ze hebben elkaars huiswerk gemaakt. | They made each other's homework.
We moeten elkanders privacy respecteren. | We have to respect each other's privacy.
Hebben jullie mekaars telefoonnummers al? | Do you already have each other's phone numbers?