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small talk

[/smɔːl tɔːk/]
noun
conversa fiada
1. light, polite conversation about unimportant or casual topics, typically used to be sociable or fill awkward silences
They made small talk about the weather while waiting for the meeting to start.
Eles fizeram conversa fiada sobre o tempo enquanto esperavam a reunião começar.
2. superficial or trivial discussion lacking depth or substance
I'm tired of small talk; I want to have a meaningful conversation.
Estou cansado de conversa fiada; quero ter uma conversa significativa.
NYC Slang
chitchat, jawing
Synonyms
chitchatchit-chatcasual conversationlight conversationpleasantries
Antonyms
deep conversationserious discussionmeaningful dialogue

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
conversa fiada
most common term used in everyday Brazilian Portuguese
Brazil
conversa mole
alternative colloquial expression, slightly more informal
Portugal
conversa de circunstância
more formal Portuguese usage; literal meaning 'conversation of circumstance'
Portugal
papo
informal/colloquial alternative in Portuguese Portuguese

Related Idioms & Phrases

break the ice
talk shop
make conversation
shoot the breeze
pass the time of day
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