Language/French/Grammar/Reciprocal-se-and-cases-of-potential-ambiguity

Reciprocal se and cases of potential ambiguity

When the subject is third person plural, se may also be interpreted as a 'reciprocal' pronoun, corresponding to English 'each other'. In some cases se is therefore ambiguous, having a 'reflexive' or 'reciprocal' interpretation, and the meaning may depend on the context:

• Les deux écrivains s'admirent depuis 20 ans is most likely to be:

The two writers have admired each other for 20 years

but could possibly be:

The two writers have (each) admired themselves for 20 years

• Les deux amis se connaissent bien

The two friends know themselves or each other well