Learn Hardcore Ukrainian: У парку були дружелюбні люди, з якими я приємно розмовляв. - In the park, there were friendly people with whom I had pleasant conversations.

The phrase "з якими" translates as "with whom" and serves as a relative clause specifying which people the speaker is referring to. In Ukrainian, the preposition "з" (meaning "with") requires the instrumental case, so "якими" is correctly used to match that requirement.

Why does the sentence begin with "У парку" instead of following a more typical English word order?

In Ukrainian, word order is more flexible and is often used to emphasize setting or context. Starting with "У парку" (in the park) immediately establishes where the action takes place. This arrangement, followed by "були" (were), introduces the existence of the friendly people before adding the relative clause. Although it might seem reversed compared to standard English, it is both natural and common in Ukrainian.

What does the form of the verb "розмовляв" tell us about the speaker?

The verb "розмовляв" is in the past tense and masculine singular form. This indicates that the action of speaking happened in the past and also reveals that the speaker is male. If the speaker were female, the verb form would change (for example, to "розмовляла").

How does the adjective "дружелюбні" agree with the noun "люди" in this sentence?

The adjective "дружелюбні" means "friendly" and is used to modify the noun "люди" (people). It appears in the nominative plural form to agree with "люди", ensuring both the adjective and the noun match in number and case.

What function does the comma before "з якими" serve in the sentence?

The comma separates the main clause from the subordinate relative clause. It clarifies that "з якими я приємно розмовляв" is additional information specifying which people the speaker interacted with. This punctuation helps to distinguish the primary statement about the presence of friendly people from the extra detail describing the speaker's pleasant conversation with them.