谈到 (tán dào) — to speak of, to mention, to talk about (resulta… | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

谈到 is a resultative verb (谈 + 到): to bring a topic up in conversation — it emphasizes that the topic was actually reached or mentioned, not just discussed in general. Often used as a topic frame like 'Speaking of…' or 'When it comes to…'.

verb

to speak ofto mentionto talk about (resultative verb, verb + 到)

Examples

谈到，。
tán dào Zhè ge wèn tí, dà jiā dōu chén mò le.
When it comes to this issue, everyone fell silent.
谈到。
Tā zài huì yì shàng tán dào le gōng sī de fā zhǎn jì huà.
He mentioned the company's development plan at the meeting.
谈到，。
tán dào Wèi lái, tā chōng mǎn le xìn xīn.
Speaking of the future, she is full of confidence.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

补充bǔchōngVerb + complement

An action followed by its result or direction.

谈 means speak, and 到 adds the idea of reaching, so 谈到 is talking up to a topic.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 談; 谈 is its simplified writing.

言炎談

Meaning part形符xíngfú

言言yánspeech

Sound part声符shēngfú

炎

炎yán談tán

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

For 谈, the traditional form 談 pairs 言 (speech) with 炎 (yán) as the sound part.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

至至zhìto arrive

Sound part声符shēngfú

刀

刀dāo到dào

Same sound today

到 combines 至, meaning 'to arrive', with 刀 as the sound part. The 至 part points to the idea of reaching a stopping point.

Appears in

Communication & Speech

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.