charla
/ˈt͡ʃaɾla/feminine
Small talk in Spanish can be translated as charla. Wiktionary also lists cháchara.
Meaning: idle conversation (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| charla | /ˈt͡ʃaɾla/ | feminine |
| cháchara | /ˈt͡ʃat͡ʃaɾa/ | feminine |
The term refers to idle conversation. It is derived from the verb charlar, which is the standard way to say 'to chat' or 'to have a talk'.
Which one should you use?
While charla is a general term for a talk or chat, cháchara specifically implies trivial, nonsensical or idle chatter.
Is it said differently in some regions?
When asking how someone is in a familiar way, ¿Cómo estás? is commonly used in Spain. In Latin America, particularly in Mexico, ¿Cómo te va? is popular to ask 'How's it going?' in an informal setting.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtʃaɾla/
Did you know?
- The word cháchara is an onomatopoeic mimicry. It was borrowed from the Italian chiacchiera to imitate the rhythmic, repetitive sounds of people babbling rapidly.
- If you are invited to give a charla at a university, do not expect a casual chat. In professional or academic settings, this word identifies a formal lecture or a structured presentation.
- While English speakers might use 'small talk' to avoid deep topics, in many Spanish-speaking cultures, this ritual is a vital tool used to build the social trust required before any serious business can be conducted.
Examples in context
- Antes de empezar a hacer la pequeña charla, preferiría no hablar en absoluto.Before I start doing small talk, I'd rather not talk at all.This sentence uses charla to describe the act of doing small talk.Tatoeba #1622956 by teskmon, translation #815381 by BraveSentry
- "Hola." "…" "¿Estás de guardia hoy de nuevo? " " Sí. " " No hablas mucho, ¿verdad? " "No … Escucha, soy un samurai. La gente espera noble de reservas y hierro autodisciplina de mí. Eso no deja espacio para una pequeña charla … ""Hello." "…" "Are you on guard duty again today?" "Yes." "You don't talk much, right?" "No. …Listen, I am a samurai. People expect noble reservation and iron self-discipline of me. That just leaves no room for small talk…"This sentence uses charla to indicate that a person's discipline leaves no room for small talk.Tatoeba #4228413 by Andrea11, translation #2905874 by Ooneykcall
- ¿Cómo ha estado su día?How has your day been?
- ¿Qué le parece el clima hoy?What do you think about the weather today?
- ¿Has visto alguna buena película últimamente?Have you seen any good movies lately?
- ¿Qué hiciste el fin de semana pasado?What did you do last weekend?
- No me gusta la charla superficial.I do not like small talk.
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are waiting for a meeting to start.
- LucíaOdio hacer charla antes de las reuniones.I hate making small talk before meetings.
- AlejandroA mí me ayuda a relajarme, Lucía.It helps me relax, Lucía.
- LucíaPrefiero ir directo al grano.I prefer to get straight to the point.
- AlejandroEntiendo, Alejandro será breve hoy.I understand, Alejandro will be brief today.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “small talk” translations and entries charla, cháchara, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries charla, cháchara, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
