Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| bavarder | /ba.vaʁ.de/ |
| jaser | /ʒa.ze/ /ʒɑ.ze/ |
| placoter | /pla.kɔ.te/ |
| papoter | /pa.pɔ.te/ |
The verbs provided are used to describe the act of engaging in informal conversation. While the verbs refer to the act of talking, you may also encounter the nouns chat and clavardage, which specifically refer to an exchange of text or voice messages in real time. For a more serious or structured exchange of ideas, the noun discussion is used. If you need to describe a conversation intended to settle a situation or stop an argument, use the noun discussion.
Which one should you use?
The term bavarder is the most neutral and common way to express chatting or having a casual conversation. In contrast, the noun discussion implies a more serious or structured exchange than the casual verbs. If you want to use a noun for real-time digital communication, use chat or clavardage.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For formal situations, you can use the verb Échanger to convey exchanging thoughts or having a dialogue or the phrase Entretenir une conversation to express the act of maintaining a conversation. For informal settings, Causer is a common verb meaning to chat or have a chat. The verb papoter is colloquial and often implies lighthearted, trivial or cozy chatting, sometimes carrying a sense of gossiping.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, Canada, you will more frequently hear the verb jaser used to mean chat.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
bavarder is pronounced /ba.vaʁ.de/.
Did you know?
- While chat is used for digital messaging in France, the word clavardage is a unique blend of clavier ('keyboard') and bavardage ('chatting').
- The verb jaser is a staple of Quebec French, where it is used as a common way to say 'to chat'. In France, however, it often carries the sense of 'to gossip' or 'to chatter' like a bird.
- The word papoter is thought to be linked to the movement of the lips. It shares a root with the Latin 'pappare', which means 'to eat', suggesting a rhythmic, mouth-based action.
Examples in context
- Non, je n'ai pas le temps de bavarder.No, I don't have time to chat.This sentence shows how to express that one does not have time to bavarder.Tatoeba #10205773 by Rovo, translation #10204852 by shekitten
- Tu écoutais tes amis bavarder sans leur prêter attention.You idly listened to your friends chat.This sentence illustrates the idea of listening to friends bavarder without paying attention.Tatoeba #8628502 by Julien_PDC, translation #11671565 by tieguy
- Je souhaite échanger avec vous sur ce sujet.I would like to chat with you about this subject.
- On devrait se retrouver et causer un peu.We should meet up and have a chat.
- On s'est assis au café pour papoter.We sat down at the café to chat.
- On se retrouve au café pour bavarder?Shall we meet at the café to chat?
- Nous aimons bavarder pendant des heures.We love to chat for hours.
Example conversation
Two friends meet by chance in the street.
- ChloéSalut Nathan ! Tu as un moment pour bavarder ?Hi Nathan! Do you have a moment to chat?
- NathanOui, Chloé, je n'ai pas d'urgence aujourd'hui.Yes, Chloé, I'm not in a hurry today.
- ChloéSuper, alors on peut marcher ensemble.Great, then we can walk together.
- NathanD'accord, raconte-moi tout !Okay, tell me everything!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “chat” translations and entries bavarder, jaser, placoter, papoter, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bavarder, jaser, papoter, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
