How to say "dialogue" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 対話たいわnoun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbThe default word for 'dialogue' as a mutual, two-way exchange between two people or sides, such as talks between groups or countries; it also covers conversation and discussion generally.
- 対談たいだんnoun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbA face-to-face talk between two people, typically one arranged and presented for an audience, as in a magazine interview or broadcast conversation; use it for that sense, not for dialogue in general.
- 談話だんわnoun, suru verb, intransitive verbA formal word for talk or conversation; for the ordinary sense of 'dialogue' it is seldom the word you want — it is really used for remarks or a statement, especially one issued publicly.
- 問答もんどうnoun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbAn exchange of questions and answers between two sides; beyond the plain sense it often suggests a drawn-out or argumentative back-and-forth. Use it when 'dialogue' means a question-and-answer exchange rather than calm discussion.
- 掛け合いかけあいnounBanter or repartee: an exchange of lines between two people, or the trading of parts in a duet. For ordinary 'dialogue' it is seldom the word you want — it really refers to such interplay.
Choose 対話 for dialogue as a mutual exchange between two sides, 対談 for an arranged two-person talk, 問答 for question-and-answer exchanges, and treat 談話 and 「掛け合い」 as narrow or marginal choices.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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