chat idly; off and on; insignificant
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesphrase
to chat idly; to make conversation without real substance; to talk sporadically
informalDescribes casual, aimless conversation where speakers talk primarily to pass time or avoid silence, often lacking continuity or deep engagement.
Tā他
men们
liǎ俩
zuò坐
zài在
cháng长
yǐ椅
shàng上
，
yǒu有
yī一
dā搭
méi没
yī一
dā搭
de地
liáo聊
zhe着
tiān天
。
The two of them sat on the bench, chatting idly about this and that.
Tā他
zhǐ只
shì是
zài在
yǒu有
yī一
dā搭
méi没
yī一
dā搭
de地
yìng应
he和
zhe着
，
xiǎn显
rán然
xīn心
bù不
zài在
yān焉
。
He was just making half-hearted responses, clearly distracted.
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Kāi开
huì会
qián前
，
dà大
jiā家
yǒu有
yī一
dā搭
méi没
yī一
dā搭
de地
shuō说
zhe着
xián闲
huà话
。
Before the meeting started, everyone was making casual small talk.
phrase
insignificant; dispensable; intermittent; off and on
informalDescribes something that lacks importance or consistency, or engagement that is sporadic and lacks commitment.
Tā他
duì对
zhè这
jiàn件
shì事
yǒu有
yī一
dā搭
méi没
yī一
dā搭
de的
，
gēn根
běn本
bù不
zhòng重
shì视
。
He treats this matter casually, not taking it seriously at all.
Zhè这
gè个
gōng工
zuò作
yǒu有
yī一
dā搭
méi没
yī一
dā搭
de的
，
shōu收
rù入
hěn很
bù不
wěn稳
dìng定
。
This job is sporadic, so the income is very unstable.
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Tā他
zhǐ只
shì是
yǒu有
yī一
dā搭
méi没
yī一
dā搭
de地
lái来
shàng上
bān班
，
suí随
shí时
kě可
néng能
cí辞
zhí职
。
He only comes to work sporadically and might quit at any time.