谈论

• Pinyin: tán lùn
• Hanzi breakdown: 谈 = 讠+ 炎; 论 = 讠(speech) + 仑 (order)

Meaning

To discuss; to talk about. A somewhat formal word for discussing topics.

More formal than 聊 (chat). Used for serious discussions of topics, issues, or subjects. Often appears in news, academic, and professional contexts.

Examples

1. 大家都在谈论这部刚上映的电影，好评如潮。 Everyone is talking about this newly released movie — it's been getting rave reviews.
2. 这个话题太敏感了，我们最好不要在公开场合谈论。 This topic is too sensitive — we'd better not discuss it in public.
3. 学者们谈论着人工智能对未来就业市场的影响。 Scholars were discussing the impact of artificial intelligence on the future job market.

Usage Guide

Context: academic, news, professional

Tone: intellectual

Do Say

• 这个问题值得深入谈论。(This issue is worth discussing in depth.)
• 大家都在谈论这件事。(Everyone is talking about this.)

Don't Say

• 用'谈论'说闲聊八卦 (谈论 implies substantive discussion — for casual gossip, use 聊 or 说闲话)

Origin & History

谈 means to talk, 论 means to discuss or debate. Together: to discuss.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal