Question 1

Why is there no translation for 'each other' (like друг друга) in this sentence?

Accepted Answer

The suffix -сь on the verb целовались does that job here. While you are learning друг друга to mean 'each other', many common verbs involving mutual interaction (like kissing, hugging, or meeting) use the reflexive suffix -ся or -сь to show that people are doing the action to each other.

Question 2

Could I say целовали друг друга instead of целовались?

Accepted Answer

Yes, целовали друг друга is grammatically correct and means essentially the same thing. However, using the reciprocal verb целоваться is much more common and natural in everyday Russian for describing a mutual kiss.

Question 3

Why does the verb end in -сь instead of -ся?

Accepted Answer

The reflexive suffix changes depending on the letter right before it. Because the past tense plural ending -ли ends in a vowel, you use -сь (целовались). If the form ended in a consonant, like the masculine past tense целовался, you would use -ся.

Question 4

Does молодые люди just mean any young people, or does it have a specific meaning?

Accepted Answer

It literally means 'young people', and in this context, it naturally refers to a young couple. Keep in mind that the singular form молодой человек is also the standard way to say 'boyfriend' or to politely address a young male stranger.

Молодые люди целовались в парке.

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