Definitions

tán (verb) to speak; to talk; to discuss
tán (verb) to chat; to converse

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "谈" derives from its traditional form "談", structured with the semantic component "言" indicating speech and the phonetic component "炎" providing pronunciation cues. In the simplified form, "言" is condensed to "讠". Historically, the character has consistently represented verbal exchange, specifically meaning to talk or converse, and its application in classical texts aligns with modern usage where it denotes discussion or dialogue without significant semantic shift.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我们吧。

Wǒmen tán yī tán ba.

Let's talk a bit.

他们论电影。

Tāmen tánlùn diànyǐng.

They discuss movies.

我们需要判。

Wǒmen xūyào tánpàn.

We need to negotiate.

老师和我心。

Lǎoshī hé wǒ tánxīn.

The teacher has a heart-to-heart talk with me.

关于工作,我们了很久。

Guānyú gōngzuò, wǒmen tánle hěn jiǔ.

Regarding work, we talked for a long time.

她善于论历史。

Tā shànyú tánlùn lìshǐ.

She is good at discussing history.

在会议上,双方进行了判。

Zài huìyì shàng, shuāngfāng jìnxíngle tánpàn.

At the meeting, both sides conducted negotiations.

关于国际关系,专家们展开了热烈的论。

Guānyú guójì guānxì, zhuānjiā men zhǎnkāile rèliè de tánlùn.

Regarding international relations, experts launched a heated discussion.