Platicar ?

Question

I came across this new (for me) word today, meaning 'to talk'.

I would be grateful for suggestions as to how it may be used and how it relates to the English words, speak, tell, say and chat.

Muchisimas gracias

Platicar = charlar - jtaniel, May 9, 2015

Answer 1

Platicar is used extensively among friends and family. I look at it like this, of course I am not a native speaker so my perspective may be full of air.

• Hablar: More the physical act of speaking and also lecturing or one sided. El maestro nos habló de .....
• Platicar: More the act of conversing. Las chicas estuvieron platicando del baile en clase.
• Discutir: Used to describe serious discussions or arguing. Vamos a discutir porque no estaba en escuela hoy.

Just my take. I think platicar is the most commonly used verb of the three.

To chat, I would say. - annierats, May 9, 2015

Why is it not 'estuvieron platicando' ? - Faldaesque, May 11, 2015

It should be. A common mistake of mine, using ser in the past instead of estar. Thanks. - gringojrf, May 11, 2015

Answer 2

I'm interested to hear other people's thoughts on this too. Personally, I've heard this word a lot in soap operas when someone wants to chat, i.e. more like gossiping over a coffee rather than the drama-packed "tenemos que hablar".

About "gossiping over coffee": I think the distinction between chat and gossip is exactly that between platicar and chismear. - jtaniel, May 9, 2015

Answer 3

Falda, I believe that this verb platicar is used colloquially and informally to mean, to chat. I tend to prefer to use the verb, charlar = to chat.

The Oxford Spanish English Dictionary states:

Platicar vi (intransitive verb)

(esp AmL) [This verb is widely used in Mexico and Central America but is literary in other areas] to talk, chat (coll)

ex: 1 Platicaron de muchss cosas. = They talked about many things.

ex: 2. Pasa por casa para que platiquemos un rato. = Drop in for a chat o so we can have a chat.

Vt ( transitive verb)

Platicar

(Méx) (contar) to tell

ex: 1 Platícame cómo te fue en el viaje. = Tell me how your trip went.

I am fairly certain that platicar would not be used to refer to taking in more formal situations such as business meetings or interviews but verbs such as hablar would be used instead or discutir = to discuss.

I hope this helps to give you some idea until the natives post something more useful