通话

• Pinyin: tōng huà
• Hanzi breakdown: 通 = to connect; 话 = speech, words — phone call, conversation

Meaning

Phone call; to make a call; conversation. Speaking with someone via telephone or communication device.

Refers to phone conversations: 通话时间 (call duration), 通话记录 (call history), 通话质量 (call quality), 视频通话 (video call), 国际通话 (international call). Can be used as verb (打电话通话) or noun (一次通话). Also used for radio communication between pilots, astronauts, etc.

Examples

1. 这个套餐包含每月五百分钟的免费通话。 This plan includes five hundred minutes of free calling per month.
2. 他们正在进行视频通话，讨论工作事宜。 They are having a video call to discuss work matters.
3. 由于信号不好，通话断断续续的。 Due to poor signal, the call kept cutting in and out.

Usage Guide

Context: telecommunications, daily life, work

Tone: practical

Do Say

• 刚才和妈妈通话了十分钟。(I just talked to mom on the phone for ten minutes.)
• 这次通话很重要，请不要打扰。(This call is important, please don't disturb.)

Don't Say

• 面对面聊天不叫'通话'，叫'交谈'或'聊天' (Face-to-face conversation isn't 通话 — use 交谈 or 聊天; 通话 implies remote communication)

Origin & History

Compound of 通 (to connect, communicate) + 话 (speech, words). Together they mean connected speech — a phone conversation.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal