converser
/kɔ̃.vɛʁ.se/
To converse in French is to converser. Wiktionary also lists parler.
Meaning: to engage in conversation (verb)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| converser | /kɔ̃.vɛʁ.se/ |
| parler | /paʁ.le/ |
The verb converser means to engage in conversation. When you want to indicate the person you are conversing with, you typically use the preposition avec.
Which one should you use?
While converser is used for formal or literary purposes, the verb parler is the common way to say 'to talk' or 'to speak'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, causer is a colloquial way to say 'to converse'.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The word converser has 3 syllables and is pronounced /kɔ̃.vɛʁ.se/.
Did you know?
- In French, the act of conversing is often linked to the 'art de la conversation', a cultural ideal emphasizing wit and social grace over the mere exchange of information.
- The common verb parler has an unexpected ancestor in the word 'parable'. It traces back to the Greek 'parabolḗ', meaning a comparison or a way of expressing something through a story.
- French has no single word that perfectly captures the English nuance of 'small talk', often relying on phrases like faire la conversation to describe filling a silence.
Examples in context
- C'était agréable de parler avec elle.It was nice to converse with her.This sentence shows how to use parler to describe a pleasant conversation.Tatoeba #438912 by franzmimm, translation #749488 by Serhiy
- Je souhaiterais discuter avec vous de notre prochain projet.I would like to discuss our next project with you.
- Nous devons échanger nos points de vue avant de prendre une décision.We need to exchange our viewpoints before making a decision.
- Viens, on va bavarder autour d'un café.Come on, let's chat over a coffee.
- On s'est retrouvés à papoter toute la soirée.We ended up chatting all evening.
- On devrait se rassembler et causer un peu.We should get together and have a little conversation.
- Nous aimons converser sur la politique.We like to converse about politics.
- Il est difficile de converser dans le bruit.It is difficult to converse in the noise.
Example conversation
Lucas and Léa are meeting for the first time at a party.
- LucasBonjour Léa, j'aimerais converser un peu avec vous.Hello Léa, I would like to converse with you for a bit.
- LéaAvec plaisir, Lucas ! De quoi voulez-vous parler ?With pleasure, Lucas! What do you want to talk about?
- LucasJe trouve que c'est toujours enrichissant de converser ici.I find that it is always enriching to converse here.
- LéaJe suis d'accord, c'est très agréable.I agree, it is very pleasant.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “converse” translations and entries converser, parler, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries converser, parler, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
