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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing "to chat" with the separable verb 聊天 (liáotiān)

    Actions & Events
    Manner & Method

    Structure

    聊 + (着/了/过) + 天

    Explanation

    聊天 (liáotiān) is a separable verb meaning "to chat" or "to have a conversation." Because it is separable, other elements like aspect particles can be inserted between 聊 and 天, as in 聊着天 (chatting). It is one of the most common casual expressions in daily Chinese.

    Examples

    • 我们好久没聊天了，找个时间聚一下。

      Wǒmen hǎojiǔ méi liáotiān le, zhǎo gè shíjiān jù yīxià.

      We haven't chatted in a long time, let's find a time to get together.

    • 她正在和朋友聊着天，没注意到我来了。

      Tā zhèngzài hé péngyou liáozhe tiān, méi zhùyì dào wǒ lái le.

      She was chatting with a friend and didn't notice me coming.

    • 我跟他聊了很久的天，聊得很开心。

      Wǒ gēn tā liáo le hěn jiǔ de tiān, liáo de hěn kāixīn.

      I chatted with him for a long time and had a great time.

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