Reciprocal Verbs
Reflexive verbs ending in -ся or -сь often describe actions done to oneself, but they can also describe reciprocal actions—things two or more people do with or to each other.
When using reciprocal verbs, you have two ways to show who is involved:
- Use a plural subject (we, they) if the people are doing the action together.
- Specify who is being interacted with by adding the preposition с (with) followed by the instrumental case.
Meeting and Agreeing
Verbs like встретиться (to meet up) and договориться (to come to an agreement) use this pattern to talk about mutual plans.
| I want to meet with my new manager tomorrow. | Завтра я хочу встретиться с моим новым менеджером. |
| Ivan agreed to meet with the new director. | Иван договорился встретиться с новым директором. |
You can also use an imperfective verb like договариваться (to negotiate / agree) for an ongoing process. Notice how you can still use с + instrumental even when the subject is plural.
| We are currently negotiating with a new company. | Мы сейчас договариваемся с новой компанией. |
Keeping in Touch
For remote communication, Russian uses specific reciprocal verbs. Созваниваться / созвониться means to get on a call with one another, while переписываться means to text or message each other.
| I will get on a call with your brother in the evening. | Вечером я созвонюсь с твоим братом. |
| We call each other every day. | Мы созваниваемся каждый день. |
| We correspond with a foreign partner. | Мы переписываемся с иностранным партнёром. |
Seeing Each Other
The standard verb видеть means "to see" (an object or person). Adding the reflexive ending creates видеться / увидеться—to see each other.
| They see each other at the university every day. | Они каждый день видятся в университете. |
| I want to see your mother tomorrow. | Завтра я хочу увидеться с твоей мамой. |
Arguing and Making Up
Relationships have their ups and downs. Use ссориться / поссориться for arguing or having a falling out, and мириться / помириться for making up and reconciling.
| They often argue, but then they quickly make up. | Они часто ссорятся, но потом быстро мирятся. |
| He quarreled with his brother, but they already made up. | Он поссорился с братом, но они уже помирились. |
