Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| sich unterhalten | ||
| konversieren | /kɔnvɛʁˈziːʁən/ | formal |
| sprechen | /ˈʃprɛçən/ | |
| reden | /ˈʁeːdən/ |
The term refers to the act of engaging in conversation.
Which one should you use?
sich unterhalten is the most common way to express having a conversation or chatting in everyday German. In contrast, sprechen focuses more on the act of speaking or the ability to speak a language rather than the social act of a back-and-forth conversation. reden is often used for more casual talking or can imply someone is talking at length. Finally, konversieren is a highly formal, somewhat old-fashioned term that implies a sophisticated or intellectual exchange.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
sich unterhalten and sprechen are neutral. reden is informal, whereas konversieren is formal.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using sprechen or sich unterhalten to mean conversing with someone, you must use the preposition mit followed by the dative case.
Did you know?
- The common verb unterhalten is also used to mean 'to entertain' guests or 'to support' someone financially.
- The word unterhalten likely entered the German language in the 17th century as a translation of the French word entretenir.
- The word reden can be used to describe someone talking too much, as in the phrase reden wie ein Wasserfall, meaning 'to talk like a waterfall'.
Examples in context
- Tom behauptet, mit Pflanzen und Tieren sprechen zu können.Tom claims he can converse with plants and animals.This sentence is useful for showing how to use sprechen regarding the ability to talk to others.Tatoeba #6538072 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #12316440 by sundown
Sources
- Wiktionary, “converse” translations and entries konversieren, sprechen, reden, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries konversieren, reden, sich, sprechen, unterhalten, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
