Definition

1. Verb:
   • To chat / to have a chat: The primary meaning of "tán gẫu" is to engage in informal, relaxed, and often lengthy conversation, typically for pleasure or to pass the time, without a serious or urgent purpose.
   • To gossip / to chit-chat: It can imply light, casual talk that may include sharing stories, news, or personal updates in a friendly, social manner.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Chúng tôi ngồi quán cà phê tán gẫu cả buổi chiều. (We sat at the coffee shop chatting all afternoon.)
  • Họ thích tán gẫu về phim ảnh và âm nhạc. (They like to chat about movies and music.)
  • Đừng tán gẫu quá lâu, chúng ta còn việc phải làm. (Don't chat for too long; we have work to do.)

Advanced Usage

• The word carries a strong connotation of leisure and social bonding. It is often used to describe the act of catching up with friends or acquaintances in a very informal setting.

Variants and Related Words

• Tán dóc (v): A very close synonym, meaning to chat idly or gossip. It can sometimes have a slightly more trivial or frivolous connotation than "tán gẫu."

  • Họ ngồi tán dóc về hàng xóm. (They sat gossiping about the neighbors.)

• Trò chuyện (v): To converse, to talk. This is a more general and neutral term for conversation, which can be formal or informal.

  • Chúng tôi trò chuyện về hợp đồng. (We talked about the contract.)

• Buôn chuyện (v): To gossip, often with a negative implication of talking about others' private affairs.

  • Cô ấy không thích buôn chuyện. (She doesn't like to gossip.)

Synonyms

• Chat: to talk in a friendly, informal way.
• Chit-chat: to engage in light, casual conversation.
• Gossip: to talk about other people's private lives, often including rumors.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Tán gẫu phiếm: To chat about trivial matters; to make small talk.
  • Mọi người chỉ đang tán gẫu phiếm trong bữa tiệc. (People were just making small talk at the party.)