platicar
“platicar” means “to chat” in Spanish (friendly, informal conversation).
to chat
Also: to talk over
📝 In Action
Me gusta platicar con mis amigos los fines de semana.
A1I like to chat with my friends on the weekends.
Estuvimos platicando durante horas sobre nuestras vacaciones.
A2We were talking for hours about our vacations.
Necesitamos platicar sobre los planes para la boda.
B1We need to talk over the plans for the wedding.
Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Indicative
Preterite
Imperfect
Present
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "platicar" in Spanish:
to chat→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: platicar
Question 1 of 3
Which word is a better choice than 'platicar' if you are in Spain?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Greek 'praktikos' and later the Latin 'practicare,' which originally meant 'to practice' or 'to do.' Over time, in the Americas, it evolved to specifically mean the 'practice' of talking or sharing stories.
First recorded: 16th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'platicar' formal or informal?
It is neutral to informal. You can use it with friends, family, and in most casual business settings in Latin America.
Can I use 'platicar' for a serious business meeting?
Yes, if you are 'talking over' a topic. However, 'discutir' (to discuss) or 'tratar' (to deal with) might be used for more formal agendas.
What is the difference between 'hablar' and 'platicar'?
Think of 'hablar' as 'to talk' (the physical act) and 'platicar' as 'to chat' (the social act of sharing).