chatter

/ˈtʃætə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈtʃætər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈcha-tər/ (ame, mw) · /ˈtʃæt.ər/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈtʃæt̬.ɚ/ (ame, ipa)

chatter — 動詞

  • chatterpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • chattershe / she / it
  • chatteredpast simple
  • chattering-ing form

1. to speak quickly and at length about everyday or unimportant subjects, often in

1.動詞不及物B1
釋義

喋喋不休

長時間談論不重要的事

to speak quickly and at length about everyday or unimportant subjects, often in a friendly or lively way

例句

Two friends sat in a café and chattered about their weekend plans for an hour.

兩個朋友坐在咖啡館裡，聊週末計劃聊了一個小時。

chatter + about + topic of conversation

Aiko chattered happily on the phone with her cousin about a new film.

Aiko 開心地跟表姐在電話上聊一部新電影。

chatter + happily (adverb modifier)

同義詞
  • chat

    more neutral and common; chatter suggests faster, more animated talk

  • gossip

    specifically about other people's private lives, often with negative connotation

  • prattle

    more dismissive; suggests childish or silly talk

文法句型

chatter + about + topic

用法筆記

Frequently used in the continuous form (be chattering) to describe an ongoing, lively conversation. Subject is typically a group of two or more people.

常見錯誤

❌She chattered him about her day.
✅She chattered about her day with him.
💡chatter is intransitive; it does not take a direct object.
❌They chattered the whole evening important business.
✅They chattered the whole evening about nothing important.
💡chatter implies light, not serious, topics.

2. to make many quick, high-pitched noises — used of birds, monkeys, and similar an

2.動詞不及物B1
釋義

吱喳叫

動物發出的急促叫聲

to make many quick, high-pitched noises — used of birds, monkeys, and similar animals

例句

The parrots in the garden chattered noisily as the sun began to set.

花園裡的鸚鵡在太陽開始下山時吱吱喳喳叫個不停。

animal + chatter + adverb of manner

Leila could hear the squirrels chattering in the old oak tree outside her window.

Leila 可以聽到臥室窗外老橡樹上的松鼠在吱吱叫。

同義詞
  • squeak

    a single short high sound, not a series

  • twitter

    almost exclusively for birds, softer sound than chatter

  • screech

    much louder and more piercing than chatter

文法句型

animal + chatter(s)

用法筆記

Used specifically of birds (especially parrots, magpies), monkeys, and squirrels. Not used for large animals (lions, horses) or insects.

3. Your teeth chatter when they knock together very quickly without you being able

3.動詞不及物B2
釋義

打顫

因寒冷或恐懼而牙齒碰撞

Your teeth chatter when they knock together very quickly without you being able to stop them, usually because you feel extremely cold or frightened

例句

Diego stood in the cold wind, his teeth chattering so hard he could not speak.

Diego 站在寒風中，牙齒打顫到說不出話。

teeth + chattering (progressive, describing physical state)

The hiker's teeth began to chatter as night fell and the temperature dropped below freezing.

夜幕降臨、氣溫降到零度以下時，那位登山者的牙齒開始打顫。

同義詞

文法句型

teeth + chatter

用法筆記

Only used with teeth as the subject — you cannot use chatter to describe other body parts shaking from cold.

常見錯誤

❌I was so cold that my hands started chattering.
✅I was so cold that my teeth started chattering.
💡only teeth chatter, not hands or other body parts.

chatter — 名詞