Glossary entry (derived from question below)
English term or phrase:
make conversation
English answer:
to be able to initiate or maintain (informal) conversation with other people
Added to glossary by
Will Matter
Sep 8, 2008 00:23
15 yrs ago
English term
Türkiye
make conversation
English
Social Sciences
Psychology
Personality Test
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary defines "make conversation" as follows:
"to say things to someone whom you do not know well, in order to be polite"
The sentence that I'm trying to translate is: "I often find it difficult to make conversation." I just want to ask if the meaning is the same here.
"to say things to someone whom you do not know well, in order to be polite"
The sentence that I'm trying to translate is: "I often find it difficult to make conversation." I just want to ask if the meaning is the same here.
Change log
Sep 8, 2008 14:31: Will Matter Created KOG entry
Responses
+10
28 mins
Will Matter
United States
United States
Native in English
&
English
United States
proofreading/editing/research/security
Native in: English 
Works in: English, Japanese to English, zzz Other zzz to English, and 3 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
12
Selected
initiate or maintain (informal) conversation
They are saying that they find it difficult to initiate, maintain, sustain or continue informal conversation with other people, regardless of whether they are strangers or not. They simply find the process of holding up their end of a conversation to be an arduous process. Not skilled at talking with / to other people. HTH.
Note from asker:
| Thank you very much, my friend :) |
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
2 hrs
Richard C. Baca, MIM
Mexico
Mexico
Native in English
&
English
Mexico
Also an int'l stock broker
Native in: English 
, Spanish
Works in: English, English to Spanish, Spanish to English
"break the ice"
This is a colloqualism that gets the idea across better.
Peer comment(s):
| neutral |
David Hollywood
: not sure if this is the best way to go as it only relates to the initial phase but if that's what's required in this context it's very nice :)
1 hr
|
12 hrs
engage in a bit of chit chat
engage in conversation, butter them up, have a chinwag, press the flesh.
lend an ear,
"I find it hard to engage people in general discussions" would be the best term for you. it is professional and fits with with what you want.
I put the others there so you my understand them, if you hear them one day
lend an ear,
"I find it hard to engage people in general discussions" would be the best term for you. it is professional and fits with with what you want.
I put the others there so you my understand them, if you hear them one day
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