How to say "chat" in Japanese

• 話はなしJLPT N5approx.Common
  nounA general noun for talk, covering a casual chat alongside conversation and speech; it suits contexts like the chat you had with a friend over coffee.
  人ひとの話はなしに水みずを差ささないでくれ。↗

  Don't throw a wet blanket over our conversation.
• チャットCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbThe loanword for chat, and the natural choice when the chatting is typed online, as in internet chat or a messaging app; for spoken, face-to-face conversation other words fit better.
• しゃべるJLPT N3approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbThe verb for casual, chatty talking, covering both 'to chat' and 'to chatter'; it often suggests lively or rambling talk, and is usually written in kana alone.
  つい彼かれが病気びょうきだということをしゃべってしまった。↗

  I've just let slip that he is sick.
• 会話かいわJLPT N4approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbThe noun for conversation between people; it fits when 'chat' is essentially a conversation, such as a friendly chat over the phone.
  機知きちは会話かいわに趣おもむきを添そえる。↗

  Wit gives zest to conversation.
• トークCommon
  nounA noun for talk in the performance or broadcast sense: a talk-show host's talk, or a musician's banter with the audience between songs. For everyday chatting it is seldom the word you want.

Choose 「チャット」 for typed online chat, 「しゃべる」 when 'chat' is a verb, 話 or 会話 for a chat as a noun, and reserve 「トーク」 for talk-show or stage banter.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 話はなしtalk
• チャットchat
• しゃべるto talk
• 会話かいわconversation
• トークtalk (esp. by a talk-show host, or by a stage musician to the audience between songs)
• 話すはなすto talk
• 漫談まんだんchat
• 歓談かんだんpleasant talk
• 語らいかたらいtalk
• 懇話こんわfriendly talk
• 世間話せけんばなしsmall talk
• 談義だんぎ(informal) discussion
• おしゃべりchattering
• しゃべりtalk