chatten
to chat
To communicate in writing with one or more people in real time over the internet or a computer network.
EXAMPLE
Wir können später noch kurz chatten, um die Details zu besprechen.
We can chat briefly later to discuss the details.
chatten
to chat
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Meanings
Usage tips
English loanword
The verb 'chatten' comes from English ('to chat') and is conjugated as a regular verb in German. The endings are the same as with verbs like 'arbeiten' (to work): ich chatte, du chattest, er/sie/es chattet.
EXAMPLE
Er chattet jeden Abend mit seinen Freunden.
He chats with his friends every evening.
Perfect tense with 'haben'
The perfect tense of 'chatten' is always formed with the auxiliary verb 'haben' (to have), not with 'sein' (to be). The past participle is 'gechattet'.
EXAMPLE
Wir haben gestern stundenlang gechattet.
We chatted for hours yesterday.
Typical prepositions
When you say who you are talking with, you use 'mit' + dative. When you name the topic, you use 'über' + accusative.
EXAMPLE
Ich chatte oft mit meinen Freunden aus dem Ausland.
I often chat with my friends from abroad.
Compare with
chatten vs schreiben
to write
Both words can describe written communication on the internet. Schreiben is general and also works for individual messages or an email, while chatten emphasizes a written conversation in real time. Chatten is especially appropriate for a direct exchange with quick replies.
chatten
Ich chatte heute Abend mit meiner Freundin über den Ausflug.
I'm chatting with my friend about the outing this evening.
schreiben
Ich schreibe meiner Freundin heute eine E-Mail.
I'm writing my friend an email today.
In real life
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