Chinese word

聊天

Pronunciation

Pinyinliáo tiān

Meaning

  • verbchat

Example

我们晚上一起聊天吧。wǒ men wǎn shàng yì qǐ liáo tiān ba

Let's chat tonight.

Illustration for 聊天 (chat)

More examples

不要和陌生人在网上聊天。bú yào hé mò shēng rén zài wǎng shàng liáo tiān

Do not chat online with strangers.

Core concept

A relaxed exchange of everyday thoughts and interests, without a fixed task or formal agenda.

Common phrases

  • 和朋友聊天hé péng yǒu liáo tiān

    chat with friends

  • 在网上聊天zài wǎng shàng liáo tiān

    chat online

  • 通过手机聊天tōng guò shǒu jī liáo tiān

    chat by phone

  • 边吃饭边聊天biān chī fàn biān liáo tiān

    chat while eating

Similar words

说话shuō huà: Say words aloud to communicate thoughts or messages.
交谈jiāo tán: Exchange information or views through a conversation.
谈话tán huà: Talk together to share personal matters and thoughts.
闲聊xián liáo: Make easygoing small talk without a specific purpose.

Definition in Chinese

以口头或文字形式与别人随便交谈，谈生活琐事或兴趣话题yǐ kǒu tóu huò wén zì xíng shì yǔ bié rén suí biàn jiāo tán tán shēng huó suǒ shì huò xìng qù huà tí

Word origin

聊天 (liáotiān, "chat") is a verb-object compound in which 聊 (liáo, "talk casually") is paired with 天 (tiān, "sky"), suggesting talk about the world and everyday matters.

Usage tips

  • Its casual register fits friends, family, and messages, while formal interviews and official discussions usually need more formal wording.

Other meanings

  • make small talkverb
  • chat onlineverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word