01
der Chat
chat
A real-time, text-based conversation between two or more people over the internet.
example
Lass uns das später im Chat besprechen, anstatt zu telefonieren.
Let's discuss that later in the chat instead of talking on the phone.
der Chat
chat
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
The regular verb 'chatten' (to chat) is derived from the noun 'der Chat'. It describes the activity of taking part in a chat.
EXAMPLE
Wir haben gestern Abend stundenlang gechattet.
We chatted for hours yesterday evening.
Sentence structure and usage patterns
To describe the place or medium, the preposition 'in' is used with the dative: 'im Chat' (in the chat). To describe the method of communication, people often use 'per': 'per Chat' (by chat / via chat).
EXAMPLE
Ich habe dir die Informationen im Chat geschickt.
I sent you the information in the chat.
Typical verbs
Common verbs used with 'Chat' are 'einen Chat starten' or 'beginnen' (to start a chat), 'in einem Chat schreiben' (to write in a chat), 'jemanden zu einem Chat einladen' (to invite someone to a chat), or 'den Chat verlassen' (to leave the chat).
EXAMPLE
Der Lehrer hat einen Chat für die ganze Klasse gestartet.
The teacher started a chat for the whole class.
Compare with
Chat vs Nachricht
message / news
'die Nachricht' and 'der Chat' both belong to digital communication. However, a Nachricht is a single piece of information that you send or say to someone. A Chat is the whole real-time conversation, or also the app used for it. Learners often confuse the words because you write messages in a chat. In practice: you write a Nachricht, but you are in a Chat or use a Chat.
Chat
Nach der Arbeit schreibe ich meiner Schwester im Chat.
After work, I write to my sister in the chat.
Nachricht
Der Lehrer schickt heute eine Nachricht an die Klasse.
The teacher is sending a message to the class today.
In real life
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