The Reflexive Voice in the Plural Number

The Reflexive Voice in the Plural Number

Besides showing that a verb is reflexive, the reflexive voice can also show that it is reciprocal. For example, the verb πλeníre means to wash oneself. In the indicative mood, in the habitual present tense, the translation of the conjugation of this verb is below:

	Reflexive	Reciprocal
1^st person singular	I wash myself	-
2^nd person singular	you wash yourself	-
3^rd person singular	he washes himself	-

1^st person plural	we wash ourselves	we wash each other
2^nd person plural	you wash yourselves	you wash each other	we wash each other
3^rd person plural	they wash themselves	they wash each other

In the plural number, there are two possible means to the verb: the reflexive and reciprocal meanings. There are three ways to remove ambiguity. To show that a verb has the reflexive meaning, use the verb in the active voice with the reflexive pronouns. The next two ways shows that the verb is reciprocal. The first way is to use the phrase “λo Úno λo aλτéρo” (which translates to “each other”) in the correct number case and gender. The second way to show that a verb is reciprocal is to use “énτρa” or “μeτaξý” plus the strong dative personal pronouns. These two words mean “between.” So, for example “énτρa éμμoχ” means “between us.”