papoter

fr
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chat, chatter, have a natter
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/pa.pɔ.te/
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Relaxed conversation that passes the time without needing an important subject.

Examples

  • Elles se sont mises à papoter de leurs vacances.
    They started chatting about their holidays.
  • On a papoté pendant une heure autour d’un café.
    We chatted for an hour over coffee.
  • Arrête de papoter, la réunion va commencer.
    Stop chatting, the meeting is about to start.
  • J’aime papoter avec ma sœur après le dîner.
    I like to chat with my sister after dinner.
  • Les voisins papotent devant l’école chaque matin.
    The neighbours chat outside the school every morning.

Similar words

faire la causette
babiller
tchatcher
causer
bavarder
jacasser

Meanings

Chat about light subjects

verb
social interaction
informal
To talk casually and often at length about light or unimportant matters, usually in a relaxed social setting.

Examples

  • On a papoté pendant une heure autour d’un café.
    We chatted for an hour over coffee.
  • Les voisins papotent devant l’école chaque matin.
    The neighbours chat outside the school every morning.
  • J’aime papoter avec ma sœur après le dîner.
    I like to chat with my sister after dinner.
  • Arrête de papoter, la réunion va commencer.
    Stop chatting, the meeting is about to start.
  • Elles se sont mises à papoter de leurs vacances.
    They started chatting about their holidays.

Similar words

Etymology

Recorded with its modern sense since the eighteenth century, papoter comes from the expressive root papp-, associated with movements of the lips, with the iterative suffix -oter.

FAQ

What does papoter mean?

Papoter means to chat casually, often at length, about light or unimportant subjects.

Is papoter formal or informal?

Papoter is informal and suits relaxed conversation with friends, relatives, or colleagues.

How is papoter pronounced?

Papoter is pronounced /pa.pɔ.te/ in standard French.

Is papoter a regular verb?

Yes. Papoter is a regular first-group verb conjugated like other verbs ending in -er.

What is the difference between papoter and parler?

Parler is the general verb for speaking, while papoter suggests relaxed, often lengthy talk about light subjects.

Where does papoter come from?

Papoter comes from an expressive root linked to movements of the lips and has carried its modern chatting sense since the eighteenth century.

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