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谈起 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
谈起谈起 (tánqǐ) means 'to talk about' or 'to mention'. It is commonly used when introducing a topic of conversation or recalling a past event. This phrase carries a nuance of casual conversation, often suggesting a storytelling aspect.HSK 7, rank #35168, Very Hard
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March 24, 2026

谈起()

谈起 (tánqǐ) means 'to talk about' or 'to mention'. It is commonly used when introducing a topic of conversation or recalling a past event. This phrase carries a nuance of casual conversation, often suggesting a storytelling aspect.

Frequency#35168DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, storytelling is a significant aspect of conversations, and the phrase 谈起 reflects the importance of sharing experiences and memories in social settings. It often serves to strengthen connections between people.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person sitting at a talk show, confidently 'talking about' their favorite stories. The character 谈 (tán) resembles a person speaking, while 起 (qǐ) suggests 'to rise up' as in raising a topic up into the air for discussion.

About 谈起

谈起Simplified
Traditional
Strokes
Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 谈起

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Podcast: 谈起

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AI Study Notes for 谈起

Quick Contrast

提起 (tíqǐ) is used when bringing up a topic in a more formal or direct manner, while 谈起 (tánqǐ) implies a more casual or storytelling approach.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a person sitting at a talk show, confidently 'talking about' their favorite stories. The character 谈 (tán) resembles a person speaking, while 起 (qǐ) suggests 'to rise up' as in raising a topic up into the air for discussion.

Usage Notes

Be careful to use 谈起 in contexts where you want to emphasize the act of bringing something up in conversation. It's more informal than using other terms like 讨论 (tǎolùn) which means 'to discuss'. Ensure you use the correct tone; '谈' is pronounced with a rising tone.

HSK Study Tips

While 谈起 is not directly listed in HSK vocabulary, it connects with common verbs like 说 (shuō - to speak) and 讲 (jiǎng - to talk). Focus on using it in dialogues to enhance conversational skills, especially in HSK speaking exercises.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, storytelling is a significant aspect of conversations, and the phrase 谈起 reflects the importance of sharing experiences and memories in social settings. It often serves to strengthen connections between people.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 谈起 with the more formal 讨论 (tǎolùn). For example, saying '我们讨论起这个话题' (wǒmen tǎolùn qǐ zhège huàtí) would be incorrect; instead, use '我们谈起这个话题'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 谈起

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Component Characters

tánto speak
HSK 410 strokes
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to rise
HSK 310 strokes
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Write 谈起

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Cultural Notes for 谈起

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, storytelling is a significant aspect of conversations, and the phrase 谈起 reflects the importance of sharing experiences and memories in social settings. It often serves to strengthen connections between people.

Frequently Asked Questions about 谈起

No, 谈起 is generally used in informal contexts. For formal discussions, consider using 讨论 (tǎolùn) instead.