plaudern
to chat
To talk in a relaxed, informal, and friendly way; to chatter.
EXAMPLE
Die beiden Freundinnen saßen im Café und plauderten stundenlang.
The two friends sat in the café and chatted for hours.
plaudern
to chat
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Meanings
aus dem Nähkästchen plaudern
to spill the beans
To reveal private or confidential information; to give away secrets.
EXAMPLE
Bei einem Glas Wein fing er an, aus dem Nähkästchen zu plaudern und erzählte von den Problemen in seiner Firma.
Over a glass of wine, he began to spill the beans and talked about the problems in his company.
Usage tips
Sentence structure with prepositions
'Plaudern' (to chat) is often used with the prepositions 'mit' (with, for the person) and 'über' (about, for the topic). 'Mit' is followed by the dative, and 'über' by the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe gestern lange mit meiner Freundin über unseren Urlaub geplaudert.
Yesterday I chatted for a long time with my friend about our vacation.
Positive atmosphere
The word 'plaudern' (to chat) describes not only a conversation, but also a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. It is used for private, informal conversations, not for serious discussions.
EXAMPLE
Die Nachbarn standen am Gartenzaun und plauderten über das Wetter.
The neighbors stood by the garden fence and chatted about the weather.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'aus dem Nähkästchen plaudern' (to spill the beans) is a fixed unit. It means that someone shares private or even secret details in a social setting.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem zweiten Glas Wein begann er, aus dem Nähkästchen zu plaudern.
After the second glass of wine, he began to spill the beans.
Compare with
plaudern vs verraten
to reveal / betray
Both words can mean that confidential information becomes known to others. Verraten directly refers to revealing a secret, while plaudern usually needs the fixed expression aus dem Nähkästchen plaudern in this sense. Use verraten generally, and plaudern in this special, often casual expression.
plaudern
Im Interview plauderte sie aus dem Nähkästchen und erzählte von der Überraschung.
In the interview, she spilled the beans and told them about the surprise.
verraten
Er verriet seiner Schwester das Geheimnis über die Überraschung.
He revealed the secret about the surprise to his sister.
In real life
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