Chinese Conversation · Level 74
90 words
Chinese word
搭讪
Pronunciation
Pinyindā shàn
Meaning
- verbstrike up a conversation
Example
他在街上搭讪那位女孩。tā zài jiē shàng dā shàn nà wèi nǚ hái
He struck up a conversation with that girl on the street.
More examples
他在酒吧试着向她搭讪。tā zài jiǔ bā shì zhe xiàng tā dā shàn
He tried to strike up a conversation with her at the bar.
Core concept
A tentative verbal approach that tests whether a stranger will welcome further contact.
Common phrases
在酒吧搭讪zài jiǔ bā dā shàn
strike up a conversation at a bar
向陌生人搭讪xiàng mò shēng rén dā shàn
strike up a conversation with a stranger
被搭讪bèi dā shàn
be approached
Similar words
搭话dā huà: Talk to someone to find a way into a conversation.
打招呼dǎ zhāo hū: Say a greeting to someone when meeting or acknowledging them.
Definition in Chinese
主动向陌生人或不太熟悉的人上前用言语试探性地引起注意或表示好感，常带有略微唐突或调情的意味。zhǔ dòng xiàng mò shēng rén huò bú tài shú xī de rén shàng qián yòng yán yǔ shì tàn xìng dì yín qǐ zhù yì huò biǎo shì háo gǎn cháng dài yǒu lüè wēi táng tū huò tiáo qíng de yì wèi
Word origin
搭讪 (dāshàn, "to strike up a conversation") joins 搭 (dā, "to make contact") with 讪 (shàn, "awkward or tactless speech"), fitting an opening remark that feels somewhat forward.
Usage tips
- In everyday Chinese, this word can sound mildly judgmental when describing someone else's approach, suggesting that the person is being forward rather than simply friendly.