世間話(せけんばなし)

せけんばなし
noun
small talk; chitchat; gossip
1. small talk; chitchat; idle conversation
Casual conversation about everyday topics, the weather, news, and other non-serious matters.
近所(きんじょ)の人(ひと)と世間話(せけんばなし)をした。
I made small talk with a neighbor.
世間話(せけんばなし)ばかりで本題(ほんだい)に入(はい)らない。
We just keep chatting and don't get to the main topic.
コーヒー(こーひー)を飲(の)みながら世間話(せけんばなし)を楽(たの)しんだ。
We enjoyed chitchat over coffee.
久(ひさ)しぶりに会(あ)った友達(ともだち)と世間話(せけんばなし)に花(はな)が咲(さ)いた。
I got absorbed in chitchat with a friend I hadn't seen in a while.
世間話(せけんばなし)に花(はな)が咲(さ)く is a set phrase meaning to get absorbed in conversation.
会議(かいぎ)が始(はじ)まる前(まえ)に、みんなで天気(てんき)やテレビの話(はなし)など軽(かる)い世間話(せけんばなし)をしていた。
Before the meeting started, everyone was making light small talk about the weather and TV shows.

世間話(せけんばなし) is casual conversation about everyday topics — weather, news, neighborhood events — without any particular purpose.

FORMATION: 世間(せけん) (society/world) + 話(はなし) (talk)

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 世間話(せけんばなし)をする: to make small talk
  • 世間話(せけんばなし)に花(はな)が咲(さ)く: to get absorbed in chitchat (set phrase)
  • 軽(かる)い世間話(せけんばなし): light conversation
  • 世間話(せけんばなし)で盛(も)り上(あ)がる: to get lively with small talk

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 雑談(ざつだん): casual chat (slightly more general; can include any topic)
  • おしゃべり: chatting (emphasizes the act of talking a lot)
  • 井戸端会議(いどばたかいぎ): neighborhood gossip (lit. "well-side meeting"; often about other people)

USAGE:
Common in social situations like waiting rooms, before meetings, or between neighbors. Neutral register.

Related Words

Synonym: 雑談(ざつだん) (casual chat)
core
Added 2026.1.18 22:35 · Revised 2026.4.7 12:52
07000/07021_sekenbanashi