Speak, talk, chat…?
What would be the best (and shortest) way to indicate that you want to have a meaningful conversation with both parts of that conversation being equally important? Is there a verb in English expressing that thought?
Thanks,
Jens
word-usage
asked Jan 25 at 8:59
jens kellersmannjens kellersmann
41
bumped to the homepage by Community♦ 15 hours ago
This question has answers that may be good or bad; the system has marked it active so that they can be reviewed.
add a comment |
What would be the best (and shortest) way to indicate that you want to have a meaningful conversation with both parts of that conversation being equally important? Is there a verb in English expressing that thought?
Thanks,
Jens
word-usage
asked Jan 25 at 8:59
jens kellersmannjens kellersmann
41
bumped to the homepage by Community♦ 15 hours ago
This question has answers that may be good or bad; the system has marked it active so that they can be reviewed.
Interaction, I s'pose; interlocution (formal).
– Kris
Jan 25 at 9:06
1
"We need to talk about..." (or "have a talk"). Chat would be an informal conversation.
– Kate Bunting
Jan 25 at 9:17
1
Welcome to EL&U Jens! While this is an interesting question, this feels very broad as-is. For single word requests like this, we recommend giving an example sentence of how you imagine this would be used. Look at these recommendations for more info.
– TaliesinMerlin
Jan 25 at 14:30
Depends on the tone you wish to convey. "Talk", in particular, can carry a variety of connotations and probably should be avoided if you're not familiar with it's use.
– Hot Licks
15 hours ago
What are the two parts? Do you mean what the two different speakers say? Or is it the first part and second part (I don't know what that is but 'part' usually means 'one piece'.)?
– Mitch
14 hours ago
add a comment |
What would be the best (and shortest) way to indicate that you want to have a meaningful conversation with both parts of that conversation being equally important? Is there a verb in English expressing that thought?
Thanks,
Jens
word-usage
asked Jan 25 at 8:59
jens kellersmannjens kellersmann
41
What would be the best (and shortest) way to indicate that you want to have a meaningful conversation with both parts of that conversation being equally important? Is there a verb in English expressing that thought?
Thanks,
Jens
word-usage
word-usage
asked Jan 25 at 8:59
jens kellersmannjens kellersmann
41
asked Jan 25 at 8:59
jens kellersmannjens kellersmann
41
asked Jan 25 at 8:59
jens kellersmannjens kellersmann
41
asked Jan 25 at 8:59
jens kellersmannjens kellersmann
41
asked Jan 25 at 8:59
jens kellersmannjens kellersmann
41
41
bumped to the homepage by Community♦ 15 hours ago
This question has answers that may be good or bad; the system has marked it active so that they can be reviewed.
bumped to the homepage by Community♦ 15 hours ago
This question has answers that may be good or bad; the system has marked it active so that they can be reviewed.
Interaction, I s'pose; interlocution (formal).
– Kris
Jan 25 at 9:06
1
"We need to talk about..." (or "have a talk"). Chat would be an informal conversation.
– Kate Bunting
Jan 25 at 9:17
1
Welcome to EL&U Jens! While this is an interesting question, this feels very broad as-is. For single word requests like this, we recommend giving an example sentence of how you imagine this would be used. Look at these recommendations for more info.
– TaliesinMerlin
Jan 25 at 14:30
Depends on the tone you wish to convey. "Talk", in particular, can carry a variety of connotations and probably should be avoided if you're not familiar with it's use.
– Hot Licks
15 hours ago
What are the two parts? Do you mean what the two different speakers say? Or is it the first part and second part (I don't know what that is but 'part' usually means 'one piece'.)?
– Mitch
14 hours ago
add a comment |
Interaction, I s'pose; interlocution (formal).
– Kris
Jan 25 at 9:06
1
"We need to talk about..." (or "have a talk"). Chat would be an informal conversation.
– Kate Bunting
Jan 25 at 9:17
1
Welcome to EL&U Jens! While this is an interesting question, this feels very broad as-is. For single word requests like this, we recommend giving an example sentence of how you imagine this would be used. Look at these recommendations for more info.
– TaliesinMerlin
Jan 25 at 14:30
Depends on the tone you wish to convey. "Talk", in particular, can carry a variety of connotations and probably should be avoided if you're not familiar with it's use.
– Hot Licks
15 hours ago
What are the two parts? Do you mean what the two different speakers say? Or is it the first part and second part (I don't know what that is but 'part' usually means 'one piece'.)?
– Mitch
14 hours ago
Interaction, I s'pose; interlocution (formal).
– Kris
Jan 25 at 9:06
Interaction, I s'pose; interlocution (formal).
– Kris
Jan 25 at 9:06
1
1
"We need to talk about..." (or "have a talk"). Chat would be an informal conversation.
– Kate Bunting
Jan 25 at 9:17
"We need to talk about..." (or "have a talk"). Chat would be an informal conversation.
– Kate Bunting
Jan 25 at 9:17
1
1
Welcome to EL&U Jens! While this is an interesting question, this feels very broad as-is. For single word requests like this, we recommend giving an example sentence of how you imagine this would be used. Look at these recommendations for more info.
– TaliesinMerlin
Jan 25 at 14:30
Welcome to EL&U Jens! While this is an interesting question, this feels very broad as-is. For single word requests like this, we recommend giving an example sentence of how you imagine this would be used. Look at these recommendations for more info.
– TaliesinMerlin
Jan 25 at 14:30
Depends on the tone you wish to convey. "Talk", in particular, can carry a variety of connotations and probably should be avoided if you're not familiar with it's use.
– Hot Licks
15 hours ago
Depends on the tone you wish to convey. "Talk", in particular, can carry a variety of connotations and probably should be avoided if you're not familiar with it's use.
– Hot Licks
15 hours ago
What are the two parts? Do you mean what the two different speakers say? Or is it the first part and second part (I don't know what that is but 'part' usually means 'one piece'.)?
– Mitch
14 hours ago
What are the two parts? Do you mean what the two different speakers say? Or is it the first part and second part (I don't know what that is but 'part' usually means 'one piece'.)?
– Mitch
14 hours ago
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
I think the most general verb in this case is CONVERSE .
According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/converse:
converse
intransitive verb
: to exchange thoughts and opinions in speech
: TALK
// spent a few minutes conversing
about the weather
// The leaders were bellowing so loudly that you had to shout to converse with your dinner partner.—
Christopher
Buckley.
answered Jan 25 at 9:32
user307254user307254
3,5552516
O.k., thanks. It makes sense, I guess. It sounds a bit old fashioned, though. Or is that only because I am German and wouldn't understand it correctly?
– jens kellersmann
Jan 26 at 10:26
It's OK. It means 'to communicate' in different contexts. Here are examples from Reverso.context.net: Like any language, the best way to improve your English is to live among, and converse with, native speakers. Or: At the Festival visitors are encouraged to participate - to learn, sing, dance, eat traditional foods, and converse with people - in the Festival program.
– user307254
Jan 26 at 10:43
add a comment |
I do not think there is a satisfactory answer to your question. The reason I say this is usage itself. Moreover, dictionaries are unlikely to be a help in this. Why do I say that?
First, different language dialects have different habits of speech, and different contexts have a different influence upon how an individual word is understood.
Let's have a chat.
On the face of it, this looks like an invitation to have a conversation of equal give and take. But now I am in the office of the school counsellor. So it means you are going to ask me questions, listen to my answers and possibly give advice.
If we are in a police station interview room, it means you are going to ask questions, which may be quite aggressive and searching questions and probably you will challenge my answers. It is certainly not likely to be an 'equal' or reciprocal conversation.
If you are my boss, at least in a British context where people often say something meaning something else, it might mean just what it says, but it might also mean you are about to fire me.
So the right word to use will depend critically on the surrounding context in which it is to be placed.
But you are looking for a verb. You want to introduce the idea of a conversation in a non-threatening way, implying each side of the conversation has equal weight. I think that the best way to introduce such an idea, at least in the British context, would be to make the initial words cautious, for example, by the use of modality.
Could we possibly meet up and chat/talk?
Why don't we talk? Might do.
No, I think the noun is better.
Could we meet up for a chat?
I do not, of course know what the context in which the use would arise. So this might be of no use to you. But the context will affect the tone of the verb.
answered Feb 24 at 11:53
TuffyTuffy
4,0561621
I'n particular, if your boss says "We need to have a talk" that does not signal a casual chat.
– Hot Licks
15 hours ago
@HotLicks Indeed not.
– Tuffy
12 hours ago
add a comment |
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
I think the most general verb in this case is CONVERSE .
According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/converse:
converse
intransitive verb
: to exchange thoughts and opinions in speech
: TALK
// spent a few minutes conversing
about the weather
// The leaders were bellowing so loudly that you had to shout to converse with your dinner partner.—
Christopher
Buckley.
answered Jan 25 at 9:32
user307254user307254
3,5552516
O.k., thanks. It makes sense, I guess. It sounds a bit old fashioned, though. Or is that only because I am German and wouldn't understand it correctly?
– jens kellersmann
Jan 26 at 10:26
It's OK. It means 'to communicate' in different contexts. Here are examples from Reverso.context.net: Like any language, the best way to improve your English is to live among, and converse with, native speakers. Or: At the Festival visitors are encouraged to participate - to learn, sing, dance, eat traditional foods, and converse with people - in the Festival program.
– user307254
Jan 26 at 10:43
add a comment |
I think the most general verb in this case is CONVERSE .
According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/converse:
converse
intransitive verb
: to exchange thoughts and opinions in speech
: TALK
// spent a few minutes conversing
about the weather
// The leaders were bellowing so loudly that you had to shout to converse with your dinner partner.—
Christopher
Buckley.
answered Jan 25 at 9:32
user307254user307254
3,5552516
O.k., thanks. It makes sense, I guess. It sounds a bit old fashioned, though. Or is that only because I am German and wouldn't understand it correctly?
– jens kellersmann
Jan 26 at 10:26
It's OK. It means 'to communicate' in different contexts. Here are examples from Reverso.context.net: Like any language, the best way to improve your English is to live among, and converse with, native speakers. Or: At the Festival visitors are encouraged to participate - to learn, sing, dance, eat traditional foods, and converse with people - in the Festival program.
– user307254
Jan 26 at 10:43
add a comment |
I think the most general verb in this case is CONVERSE .
According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/converse:
converse
intransitive verb
: to exchange thoughts and opinions in speech
: TALK
// spent a few minutes conversing
about the weather
// The leaders were bellowing so loudly that you had to shout to converse with your dinner partner.—
Christopher
Buckley.
answered Jan 25 at 9:32
user307254user307254
3,5552516
I think the most general verb in this case is CONVERSE .
According to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/converse:
converse
intransitive verb
: to exchange thoughts and opinions in speech
: TALK
// spent a few minutes conversing
about the weather
// The leaders were bellowing so loudly that you had to shout to converse with your dinner partner.—
Christopher
Buckley.
answered Jan 25 at 9:32
user307254user307254
3,5552516
answered Jan 25 at 9:32
user307254user307254
3,5552516
answered Jan 25 at 9:32
user307254user307254
3,5552516
answered Jan 25 at 9:32
user307254user307254
3,5552516
3,5552516
O.k., thanks. It makes sense, I guess. It sounds a bit old fashioned, though. Or is that only because I am German and wouldn't understand it correctly?
– jens kellersmann
Jan 26 at 10:26
It's OK. It means 'to communicate' in different contexts. Here are examples from Reverso.context.net: Like any language, the best way to improve your English is to live among, and converse with, native speakers. Or: At the Festival visitors are encouraged to participate - to learn, sing, dance, eat traditional foods, and converse with people - in the Festival program.
– user307254
Jan 26 at 10:43
add a comment |
O.k., thanks. It makes sense, I guess. It sounds a bit old fashioned, though. Or is that only because I am German and wouldn't understand it correctly?
– jens kellersmann
Jan 26 at 10:26
It's OK. It means 'to communicate' in different contexts. Here are examples from Reverso.context.net: Like any language, the best way to improve your English is to live among, and converse with, native speakers. Or: At the Festival visitors are encouraged to participate - to learn, sing, dance, eat traditional foods, and converse with people - in the Festival program.
– user307254
Jan 26 at 10:43
O.k., thanks. It makes sense, I guess. It sounds a bit old fashioned, though. Or is that only because I am German and wouldn't understand it correctly?
– jens kellersmann
Jan 26 at 10:26
O.k., thanks. It makes sense, I guess. It sounds a bit old fashioned, though. Or is that only because I am German and wouldn't understand it correctly?
– jens kellersmann
Jan 26 at 10:26
It's OK. It means 'to communicate' in different contexts. Here are examples from Reverso.context.net: Like any language, the best way to improve your English is to live among, and converse with, native speakers. Or: At the Festival visitors are encouraged to participate - to learn, sing, dance, eat traditional foods, and converse with people - in the Festival program.
– user307254
Jan 26 at 10:43
It's OK. It means 'to communicate' in different contexts. Here are examples from Reverso.context.net: Like any language, the best way to improve your English is to live among, and converse with, native speakers. Or: At the Festival visitors are encouraged to participate - to learn, sing, dance, eat traditional foods, and converse with people - in the Festival program.
– user307254
Jan 26 at 10:43
add a comment |
I do not think there is a satisfactory answer to your question. The reason I say this is usage itself. Moreover, dictionaries are unlikely to be a help in this. Why do I say that?
First, different language dialects have different habits of speech, and different contexts have a different influence upon how an individual word is understood.
Let's have a chat.
On the face of it, this looks like an invitation to have a conversation of equal give and take. But now I am in the office of the school counsellor. So it means you are going to ask me questions, listen to my answers and possibly give advice.
If we are in a police station interview room, it means you are going to ask questions, which may be quite aggressive and searching questions and probably you will challenge my answers. It is certainly not likely to be an 'equal' or reciprocal conversation.
If you are my boss, at least in a British context where people often say something meaning something else, it might mean just what it says, but it might also mean you are about to fire me.
So the right word to use will depend critically on the surrounding context in which it is to be placed.
But you are looking for a verb. You want to introduce the idea of a conversation in a non-threatening way, implying each side of the conversation has equal weight. I think that the best way to introduce such an idea, at least in the British context, would be to make the initial words cautious, for example, by the use of modality.
Could we possibly meet up and chat/talk?
Why don't we talk? Might do.
No, I think the noun is better.
Could we meet up for a chat?
I do not, of course know what the context in which the use would arise. So this might be of no use to you. But the context will affect the tone of the verb.
answered Feb 24 at 11:53
TuffyTuffy
4,0561621
I'n particular, if your boss says "We need to have a talk" that does not signal a casual chat.
– Hot Licks
15 hours ago
@HotLicks Indeed not.
– Tuffy
12 hours ago
add a comment |
I do not think there is a satisfactory answer to your question. The reason I say this is usage itself. Moreover, dictionaries are unlikely to be a help in this. Why do I say that?
First, different language dialects have different habits of speech, and different contexts have a different influence upon how an individual word is understood.
Let's have a chat.
On the face of it, this looks like an invitation to have a conversation of equal give and take. But now I am in the office of the school counsellor. So it means you are going to ask me questions, listen to my answers and possibly give advice.
If we are in a police station interview room, it means you are going to ask questions, which may be quite aggressive and searching questions and probably you will challenge my answers. It is certainly not likely to be an 'equal' or reciprocal conversation.
If you are my boss, at least in a British context where people often say something meaning something else, it might mean just what it says, but it might also mean you are about to fire me.
So the right word to use will depend critically on the surrounding context in which it is to be placed.
But you are looking for a verb. You want to introduce the idea of a conversation in a non-threatening way, implying each side of the conversation has equal weight. I think that the best way to introduce such an idea, at least in the British context, would be to make the initial words cautious, for example, by the use of modality.
Could we possibly meet up and chat/talk?
Why don't we talk? Might do.
No, I think the noun is better.
Could we meet up for a chat?
I do not, of course know what the context in which the use would arise. So this might be of no use to you. But the context will affect the tone of the verb.
answered Feb 24 at 11:53
TuffyTuffy
4,0561621
I'n particular, if your boss says "We need to have a talk" that does not signal a casual chat.
– Hot Licks
15 hours ago
@HotLicks Indeed not.
– Tuffy
12 hours ago
add a comment |
I do not think there is a satisfactory answer to your question. The reason I say this is usage itself. Moreover, dictionaries are unlikely to be a help in this. Why do I say that?
First, different language dialects have different habits of speech, and different contexts have a different influence upon how an individual word is understood.
Let's have a chat.
On the face of it, this looks like an invitation to have a conversation of equal give and take. But now I am in the office of the school counsellor. So it means you are going to ask me questions, listen to my answers and possibly give advice.
If we are in a police station interview room, it means you are going to ask questions, which may be quite aggressive and searching questions and probably you will challenge my answers. It is certainly not likely to be an 'equal' or reciprocal conversation.
If you are my boss, at least in a British context where people often say something meaning something else, it might mean just what it says, but it might also mean you are about to fire me.
So the right word to use will depend critically on the surrounding context in which it is to be placed.
But you are looking for a verb. You want to introduce the idea of a conversation in a non-threatening way, implying each side of the conversation has equal weight. I think that the best way to introduce such an idea, at least in the British context, would be to make the initial words cautious, for example, by the use of modality.
Could we possibly meet up and chat/talk?
Why don't we talk? Might do.
No, I think the noun is better.
Could we meet up for a chat?
I do not, of course know what the context in which the use would arise. So this might be of no use to you. But the context will affect the tone of the verb.
answered Feb 24 at 11:53
TuffyTuffy
4,0561621
I do not think there is a satisfactory answer to your question. The reason I say this is usage itself. Moreover, dictionaries are unlikely to be a help in this. Why do I say that?
First, different language dialects have different habits of speech, and different contexts have a different influence upon how an individual word is understood.
Let's have a chat.
On the face of it, this looks like an invitation to have a conversation of equal give and take. But now I am in the office of the school counsellor. So it means you are going to ask me questions, listen to my answers and possibly give advice.
If we are in a police station interview room, it means you are going to ask questions, which may be quite aggressive and searching questions and probably you will challenge my answers. It is certainly not likely to be an 'equal' or reciprocal conversation.
If you are my boss, at least in a British context where people often say something meaning something else, it might mean just what it says, but it might also mean you are about to fire me.
So the right word to use will depend critically on the surrounding context in which it is to be placed.
But you are looking for a verb. You want to introduce the idea of a conversation in a non-threatening way, implying each side of the conversation has equal weight. I think that the best way to introduce such an idea, at least in the British context, would be to make the initial words cautious, for example, by the use of modality.
Could we possibly meet up and chat/talk?
Why don't we talk? Might do.
No, I think the noun is better.
Could we meet up for a chat?
I do not, of course know what the context in which the use would arise. So this might be of no use to you. But the context will affect the tone of the verb.
answered Feb 24 at 11:53
TuffyTuffy
4,0561621
answered Feb 24 at 11:53
TuffyTuffy
4,0561621
answered Feb 24 at 11:53
TuffyTuffy
4,0561621
answered Feb 24 at 11:53
TuffyTuffy
4,0561621
4,0561621
I'n particular, if your boss says "We need to have a talk" that does not signal a casual chat.
– Hot Licks
15 hours ago
@HotLicks Indeed not.
– Tuffy
12 hours ago
add a comment |
I'n particular, if your boss says "We need to have a talk" that does not signal a casual chat.
– Hot Licks
15 hours ago
@HotLicks Indeed not.
– Tuffy
12 hours ago
I'n particular, if your boss says "We need to have a talk" that does not signal a casual chat.
– Hot Licks
15 hours ago
I'n particular, if your boss says "We need to have a talk" that does not signal a casual chat.
– Hot Licks
15 hours ago
@HotLicks Indeed not.
– Tuffy
12 hours ago
@HotLicks Indeed not.
– Tuffy
12 hours ago
add a comment |
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Interaction, I s'pose; interlocution (formal).
– Kris
Jan 25 at 9:06
1
"We need to talk about..." (or "have a talk"). Chat would be an informal conversation.
– Kate Bunting
Jan 25 at 9:17
1
Welcome to EL&U Jens! While this is an interesting question, this feels very broad as-is. For single word requests like this, we recommend giving an example sentence of how you imagine this would be used. Look at these recommendations for more info.
– TaliesinMerlin
Jan 25 at 14:30
Depends on the tone you wish to convey. "Talk", in particular, can carry a variety of connotations and probably should be avoided if you're not familiar with it's use.
– Hot Licks
15 hours ago
What are the two parts? Do you mean what the two different speakers say? Or is it the first part and second part (I don't know what that is but 'part' usually means 'one piece'.)?
– Mitch
14 hours ago