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How to Say "to chat" in Spanish

English → Spanish

charlar

char-LARtʃaɾˈlaɾ

VerbA1informal
Use 'charlar' for a general, relaxed, and informal chat, often with friends or family, implying a pleasant exchange of words.
A colorful storybook illustration showing two friends sitting opposite each other at a small table, engaged in a casual, informal conversation.

Examples

Nos gusta charlar un rato después de cenar.

We like to chat for a while after dinner.

¿Con quién estabas charlando tan animadamente?

Who were you chatting with so lively?

Siempre charlan sobre política y el tiempo.

They always talk about politics and the weather.

Using 'Con'

When you want to say who you are chatting with, you must use the preposition 'con' (with). Example: 'Charlo con mi madre' (I chat with my mother).

Confusing 'charlar' and 'hablar'

Mistake: “Using 'charlar' when you mean 'to speak a language' or 'to give a formal talk.'”

Correction: Use 'charlar' only for informal, relaxed conversation. For general speaking or formal communication, use 'hablar'.

conversar

kohn-ver-SARkom.berˈsaɾ

VerbA1informal
Use 'conversar' when the focus is slightly more on the act of talking and exchanging ideas, though still informal, it can imply a bit more substance than 'charlar'.
A simple storybook illustration showing a rabbit and a squirrel sitting on the ground, leaning slightly towards each other, suggesting they are having a conversation.

Examples

Me gusta conversar con mis abuelos sobre su juventud.

I like to converse with my grandparents about their youth.

¿Podemos conversar un momento? Necesito tu opinión.

Can we chat for a moment? I need your opinion.

Ellos conversaron toda la noche en la terraza.

They talked all night long on the terrace.

A Regular Verb

Since 'conversar' is a regular '-ar' verb, it follows the most common conjugation patterns in Spanish. Learn the '-ar' endings, and you know how to use this verb in every tense!

Using the wrong preposition

Mistake: “Voy a conversar a mi amigo.”

Correction: Voy a conversar con mi amigo. ('Conversar' needs the preposition 'con' (with) to introduce the person you are talking to.)

platicar

plah-tee-KAHRplatiˈkaɾ

VerbA2informal
Use 'platicar' specifically for friendly, casual conversation, often implying a more relaxed and perhaps longer chat, common in Latin America.
Two friends sitting together on a park bench, smiling and engaged in a friendly conversation.

Examples

Me gusta platicar con mis amigos los fines de semana.

I like to chat with my friends on the weekends.

Estuvimos platicando durante horas sobre nuestras vacaciones.

We were talking for hours about our vacations.

Necesitamos platicar sobre los planes para la boda.

We need to talk over the plans for the wedding.

A Small Spelling Change

When talking about the past (the 'yo' form), the 'c' changes to 'qu' to keep the hard 'k' sound: 'platiqué'. This happens before any ending that starts with an 'e'.

Platicar vs. Hablar

'Hablar' is the general word for 'to talk,' but 'platicar' implies a back-and-forth friendly conversation, much like the English word 'chat.'

Using it in Spain

Mistake: “Using 'platicar' while traveling in Madrid.”

Correction: While people will understand you, it will sound very foreign. In Spain, people prefer 'charlar' or 'hablar.'

Choosing between Charlar, Conversar, and Platicar

The main confusion lies in the subtle differences between these informal verbs. While 'charlar' is the most general, 'conversar' can imply a slightly more involved talk, and 'platicar' is very common in Latin America for any casual chat, sometimes used interchangeably with 'charlar'.

Related Translations

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