conversation
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++LDOCE 5++con·ver·sa·tion /ˌkɒnvəˈseɪʃən $ ˌkɑːnvər-/ ●●● S1 W2 noun [countable, uncountable]TALK TO somebody an informal talk in which people exchange news, feelings, and thoughts 〔非正式的〕谈话，交谈，会话 a telephone conversation 电话交谈 Children quickly get bored by adult conversation. 儿童对成年人的谈话很快就会厌倦。conversation with a short conversation with the teacher 和老师的一次简短交谈conversation about a conversation about family and friends 有关家庭和朋友的谈话 They had a short conversation in German and seemed to be disagreeing about something. 他们用德语说了一会儿，好像对什么事有分歧。 It’s impossible to carry on a conversation with all this noise in the background. 在这么喧闹的环境中进行谈话是不可能的。 ‘Did you have a good journey?’ he said, trying to make conversation. “你旅途愉快吗？”他问道，试图找话谈。 He was silent, no matter how hard Sofia tried to engage him in conversation. 无论索菲娅怎么引他说话，他就是一声不吭。 After a while, the conversation turned to a friend’s coming wedding. 过了一会儿，话题就转到一个朋友即将举行的婚礼上去了。 They were deep in conversation, relaxed and smiling. 他们谈得很投入，很放松，脸上带着微笑。 He could hear snatches of conversation from across the room. 他从房间对面听得到零星的对话。n THESAURUSconversation noun [countable, uncountable] an informal talk in which people exchange news, feelings, and thoughtsI was having a conversation with a friend the other day.Conversation wasn’t easy because of all the noise.He overheard our conversation about the children.discussion noun [countable, uncountable] a conversation about something importantThere was a lot of discussion about where the money was going to come from.The two companies have been having discussions about a possible takeover.talk noun [countable] a long conversation, especially about a problem or about what you plan to doWe had a long talk about our relationship.chat noun [countable] especially British English an informal friendly conversationI’ve just had a chat with Vinnie.natter noun [singular] British English informal a conversation with a friend about unimportant thingsMary and Jean were having a cup of tea and a natter.gossip noun [singular, uncountable] conversations in which people talk about things they have heard, especially about other people’s private lives, which may well not be trueShe always enjoyed going to friends’ houses and having a gossip.It’s all just gossip.small talk noun [uncountable] polite friendly conversation about unimportant subjects, especially when you do not know someone very well and feel a little nervousWe stood around making small talk about the weather.banter noun [uncountable] friendly conversation in which people joke with each other and gently make fun of each otherShe enjoyed the friendly banter with her colleagues at the office.
Examples from the Corpus
conversation• I was too shy to start a conversation with anyone there.• The prototype of reciprocal discourse is face-to-face conversation.• Every time his father's name came up in conversation, Tom became nervous.• Vicky was having a long conversation with the bartender.• The noise of the traffic made conversation almost impossible.• She shivered and watched Mrs Frizzell apprehensively as the buzz of conversation continued.• The buzz of conversation filled the hall.• Cooley presents a report of conversation with a former and a description of social conventions.• Baker's resignation became a hot topic of conversation around the office.• Martha's a fascinating woman. I really enjoyed our conversation.• Clinton went on to quote it again during the State of the Union and in other public remarks or private conversations.• a telephone conversation• They didn't realize someone was taping their telephone conversation.• Once my status is ascertained, the conversation quickly reverts to repartee.• She said Gloria was always trying to bust up their conversations.• She did not wish to be having this conversation.snatches of conversation• Among snatches of conversation, both of us remember his referring to the underground as being rather like hell.• He could hear snatches of conversation from across the room.• I melted into the wall and listened to snatches of conversation.• I turn the volume low, to stop picking up snatches of conversation from next door.Origin conversation (1300-1400) Old French Latin conversatio, from conversari; → CONVERSE1con·ver·sa·tion noun →n THESAURUS1LDOCE OnlineChineseSyllable
exchange informal talk people an in Corpus which
conversation
con‧ver‧sa‧tion S1 W2 /ˌkɒnvəˈseɪʃən $ ˌkɑːnvər-/
noun [uncountable and countable] an informal talk in which people exchange news, feelings, and thoughts:
a telephone conversation
Children quickly get bored by adult conversation.
conversation with
a short conversation with the teacher
conversation about
a conversation about family and friends
They had a short conversation in German and seemed to be disagreeing about something.
It’s impossible to carry on a conversation with all this noise in the background.
‘Did you have a good journey?’ he said, trying to make conversation.
He was silent, no matter how hard Sofia tried to engage him in conversation.
After a while, the conversation turned to a friend’s coming wedding.
They were deep in conversation, relaxed and smiling.
He could hear snatches of conversation from across the room.
▪ conversation noun [uncountable and countable] an informal talk in which people exchange news, feelings, and thoughts: I was having a conversation with a friend the other day. | Conversation wasn’t easy because of all the noise. | He overheard our conversation about the children.
▪discussion noun [uncountable and countable] a conversation about something important: There was a lot of discussion about where the money was going to come from. | The two companies have been having discussions about a possible takeover.
▪talk noun [countable] a long conversation, especially about a problem or about what you plan to do: We had a long talk about our relationship.
▪chat noun [countable] especially British English an informal friendly conversation: I’ve just had a chat with Vinnie.
▪natter noun [singular] British English informal a conversation with a friend about unimportant things: Mary and Jean were having a cup of tea and a natter.
▪gossip noun [singular, uncountable] conversations in which people talk about things they have heard, especially about other people’s private lives, which may well not be true: She always enjoyed going to friends’ houses and having a gossip. | It’s all just gossip.
▪small talk noun [uncountable] polite friendly conversation about unimportant subjects, especially when you do not know someone very well and feel a little nervous: We stood around making small talk about the weather.
▪banter noun [uncountable] friendly conversation in which people joke with each other and gently make fun of each other: She enjoyed the friendly banter with her colleagues at the office.
con‧ver‧sa‧tion S1 W2 /ˌkɒnvəˈseɪʃən $ ˌkɑːnvər-/
noun [uncountable and countable] an informal talk in which people exchange news, feelings, and thoughts: conversation with
conversation about
| THESAURUS |
▪
▪
▪
▪
▪
▪
▪
discussion a detailed conversation about sth that is considered to be important 指重要事情的讨论、谈论、商讨 ：◆ Discussions are still taking place between the two leaders. 两位领导人仍在进行讨论。 conversation a talk, usually a private or informal one, involving two people or a small group; the activity of talking in this way 通常指私下的或非正式的交谈、谈话 ：◆ a telephone conversation 电话交谈 dialogue conversations in a book, play or film 指书、戏剧或电影中的对话、对白 ：◆ The novel has long descriptions and not much dialogue. 这部小说描述多，对话少。 A dialogue is also a formal discussion between two groups, especially when they are trying to solve a problem or end a dispute.* dialogue 亦指两个团体间为解决问题或结束争端进行的正式对话、讨论、交换意见 ：◆ The President told waiting reporters there had been a constructive dialogue. 总统告诉等候的记者，刚才进行了一次富有建设性的对话。 talk a conversation or discussion, often one about a problem or sth important for the people involved 常指对有关人员就某个问题或重要的事情进行的交谈、谈话、讨论、商讨 ：◆ I had a long talk with my boss about my career prospects. 我和老板就我的事业前景进行了一次长谈。 debate a formal discussion of an issue at a public meeting or in a parliament. In a debate two or more speakers express opposing views and then there is often a vote on the issue. 指公共集会上或议会里就某问题进行的、常以表决结束的辩论 ：◆ a debate on prison reform 关于监狱制度改革的辩论 consultation a formal discussion between groups of people before a decision is made about sth 指团体间在决策前进行的咨询、商讨、磋商 ：◆ There have been extensive consultations between the two countries. 两国之间进行了广泛磋商。 chat a friendly informal conversation; informal talking 指友好的非正式交谈、聊天 NOTE The countable use of chat is especially British English.* chat 作可数名词尤用于英式英语 ：◆ I just called in for a chat about the kids. 我只是打电话来随便聊聊孩子的事情。 gossip a conversation about other people and their private lives 指关于他人及其私生活的闲谈、闲聊、说长道短 ：◆ We had a good gossip about the boss. 我们讲了好一会儿老板的闲话。
Patterns
a discussion/conversation/dialogue/talk/debate/consultation/chat/gossip about stha discussion/conversation/dialogue/debate/consultation on sthin (close) discussion/conversation/dialogue/debate/consultationwith sbto have a discussion/conversation/dialogue/talk/debate/consultation/chat/gossipwith sbto hold a discussion/conversation/debate/consultation
◆ Do you mind if I sit here? 我坐在这儿可以吗？ ◆ Hello, is this seat taken? 你好，这个座位有人吗？ ◆ May I join you? Can I get you a coffee?可以和你一起吗？我给你拿杯咖啡好吗？ ◆ Lovely weather we're having!/Can you believe this rain/wind/cold/sunshine? 多好的天气呀！／真想不到会下这么大雨／刮这么大风／这么冷／阳光这么灿烂！ ◆ Excuse me, could I ask you a question?打扰一下，可以问您一个问题吗？ ◆ Shall we make a start? I think it's almost three o'clock.( BrE 我们马上开始好吗？我看都快三点了。 ◆ Shall we get started? I'd like to introduce our speaker.( especially
NAmE 我们开始吧？我来介绍一下演讲人。 ◆ I think everyone's here, so I'd like to welcome you to this conference.我想大家都到齐了，在此我对出席本次会议的各位表示欢迎。