How to say "conversation" in Japanese

• 会話かいわJLPT N4approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbThe most direct equivalent of the English word: an exchange of words between people. Use it for a chat with friends or for talking about how well someone keeps a conversation going.
  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.
• 対話たいわJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbConversation as an exchange between two parties or sides; the nuance is of dialogue, each side speaking and listening, so it suits talks aimed at understanding or resolving issues more than casual chat.
  この例れいにおいては、その二人ふたりの詩人しじんの対話たいわに関かんする正確せいかくな記述きじゅつがもたらされている。↗

  In this instance we are provided with an exact account of the conversation between the two poets.
• 対談たいだんJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbA talk between two people, usually arranged in advance for a magazine feature, a book, or a program; it is a staged two-person dialogue, not a word for everyday chatting.
  その上うえ、ある大学だいがく教授きょうじゅと対談たいだんしなければならない。↗

  In addition, I have to interview a professor.
• 談話だんわCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbSeldom the word you want for a conversation: it is really a talk in the sense of remarks made or released by a particular person, and an ordinary chat is 会話.
  夕食ゆうしょく後ごの談話だんわで彼かれらは政治せいじについて話し合はなしあった。↗

  In their discourse after dinner, they talked about politics.
• 話はなしJLPT N5approx.Common
  nounTalk in the broadest sense: a chat, what someone says, a story, or a speech. It covers casual conversation naturally, but its breadth means context decides which English sense is meant.
  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.

Choose 会話 for conversation in general, 対話 for dialogue between two parties, 対談 for an arranged two-person talk, 話 for casual talk in the broadest sense, and 談話 only rarely.

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

• 会話かいわconversation
• 対話たいわdialogue
• 対談たいだんtalk
• 談話だんわtalk
• 話はなしtalk
• 談義だんぎ(informal) discussion
• スレthread (on an Internet forum, mailing list, etc.)
• 談だんtalk
• 座談ざだんconversation
• カンバセーションconversation
• 偶語ぐうごconversation
• スッドレthread (on an Internet forum, mailing list, etc.)
• スレッドthread (on an Internet forum, mailing list, etc.)
• 対語ついごconversation (face-to-face)