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JLPT N115画 · 15 strokesradical 言grade 3freq #272

discuss, talk

On'yomi (音読み)

  • ダン

Kun'yomi (訓読み)

Mnemonic

As the two friends stood on a bridge, they used their words (言) to talk and discuss their dreams while the sunlight sparked joyful conversations.

About this kanji

The kanji 「談」 primarily means to discuss or talk. It is commonly used in various compounds as a noun and does not have a kun'yomi reading, which makes it mainly an on'yomi kanji. You can find it in words like 会談 (かいだん), meaning talks or formal discussions, and 懇談 (こんだん), which refers to a friendly chat. Another common compound is 冗談 (じょうだん), meaning joke, and 相談 (そうだん), which means consultation. A usage note is that while 「談」 is often associated with formal talking, it can also appear in casual settings, showing its versatility in conversation.

Example sentences

  • 私たちは未来について談義した。

    We discussed the future.

Meanings across languages

English
discuss, talk
Tiếng Việt
thảo luận, nói chuyện
日本語
話す, 談話
한국어
논의하다, 이야기하다
中文
讨论, 谈话
id
diskusikan, bicara
th
พูดคุย, สนทนา
es
discutir, hablar
fr
discuter, parler
de
diskutieren, reden
pt
discutir, falar

Common compounds

  • 会談かいだんtalks (i.e. formal discussions), conference, meeting
  • 懇談こんだんfriendly chat, relaxed conversation, informal meeting
  • 冗談じょうだんjoke, jest, funny story
  • 相談そうだんconsultation, discussion, discussing
  • 談合だんごうbid rigging, collusion (on contract bidding), (illegal) price-fixing agreement
  • 談話だんわtalk, conversation, dialogue
  • 相談役そうだんやくcounselor, counsellor, adviser
  • 縁談えんだんmarriage proposal, marriage talks

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