dialogue; conversation; to talk
HSK level
对话 is written with 13 strokes (对: 5, 话: 8). The animation replays automatically.
对话 (duìhuà) is chiefly a noun meaning 'dialogue' or 'conversation' — an exchange of words between two or more parties — and also functions as a verb 'to hold talks / to talk with.'
It combines 对 ('facing / mutual') and 话 ('speech / words'), literally 'facing-speech.' It is neutral in register, appearing in textbook dialogues, film scripts, and, importantly, in political and diplomatic contexts (中美对话 'China–US talks').
Two differences from English: 对话 as a noun emphasizes a structured, back-and-forth exchange, so a casual chat is more often 聊天 (liáotiān), while 对话 sounds slightly more formal or purposeful; and as a verb it often implies negotiation or dialogue between sides/institutions (与……对话 'to have a dialogue with'), not just chatting. Language learners meet it constantly as the label for practice conversations.
Character by character
Memory hook: 对 (facing each other) + 话 (words) — two people facing and trading words: a dialogue.
请听下面这段对话。
Qǐng tīng xiàmiàn zhè duàn duìhuà.
Please listen to the following dialogue.
neutral
老师让我们练习对话。
Lǎoshī ràng wǒmen liànxí duìhuà.
The teacher had us practice the conversation.
neutral
两国决定通过对话解决问题。
Liǎng guó juédìng tōngguò duìhuà jiějué wèntí.
The two countries decided to resolve the issue through dialogue.
written
他们进行了一次坦诚的对话。
Tāmen jìnxíng le yí cì tǎnchéng de duìhuà.
They held a frank conversation.
written
谈话 means 'a talk / conversation,' often somewhat serious or one-on-one (a talk with your boss). 对话 stresses mutual back-and-forth between sides and is common for formal/diplomatic exchanges. 谈话 can be more one-directional.
交谈 is the act of conversing (verb), slightly formal, focusing on people talking together. 对话 emphasizes the dialogue as a structured exchange and is often a noun (a script, a set of talks).
Acquire it by listening
Fluentide turns real news into Chinese listening at your exact level, so words like 对话 show up again and again in natural sentences — with pinyin and translation every time. No flashcards. Free to start.
