These are all words for an occasion when people talk about sth. 以上各词均表示交谈、谈论。

• discussion a detailed conversation about sth that is considered to be important 指重要事情的讨论、谈论、商讨：◆Discussions are still taking place between the two leaders. 两位领导人仍在进行讨论。
• conversation a talk, usually a private or informal one, involving two people or a small group; the activity of talking in this way 通常指私下的或非正式的交谈、谈话：◆a telephone conversation 电话交谈
• dialogue conversations in a book, play or film 指书、戏剧或电影中的对话、对白：◆The novel has long descriptions and not much dialogue. 这部小说描述多，对话少。A dialogue is also a formal discussion between two groups, especially when they are trying to solve a problem or end a dispute. * dialogue 亦指两个团体间为解决问题或结束争端进行的正式对话、讨论、交换意见：◆The President told waiting reporters there had been a constructive dialogue. 总统告诉等候的记者，刚才进行了一次富有建设性的对话。
• talk a conversation or discussion, often one about a problem or sth important for the people involved 常指对有关人员就某个问题或重要的事情进行的交谈、谈话、讨论、商讨：◆I had a long talk with my boss about my career prospects. 我和老板就我的事业前景进行了一次长谈。
• debate a formal discussion of an issue at a public meeting or in a parliament. In a debate two or more speakers express opposing views and then there is often a vote on the issue. 指公共集会上或议会里就某问题进行的、常以表决结束的辩论：◆a debate on prison reform 关于监狱制度改革的辩论
• consultation a formal discussion between groups of people before a decision is made about sth 指团体间在决策前进行的咨询、商讨、磋商：◆There have been extensive consultations between the two countries. 两国之间进行了广泛磋商。
• chat a friendly informal conversation; informal talking 指友好的非正式交谈、聊天 NOTE The countable use of chat is especially British English. * chat 作可数名词尤用于英式英语：◆I just called in for a chat about the kids. 我只是打电话来随便聊聊孩子的事情。
• gossip a conversation about other people and their private lives 指关于他人及其私生活的闲谈、闲聊、说长道短：◆We had a good gossip about the boss. 我们讲了好一会儿老板的闲话。

Patterns

• a discussion/conversation/dialogue/talk/debate/consultation/chat/gossip about sth
• a discussion/conversation/dialogue/debate/consultation on sth
• in (close) discussion/conversation/dialogue/debate/consultation with sb
• to have a discussion/conversation/dialogue/talk/debate/consultation/chat/gossip with sb
• to hold a discussion/conversation/debate/consultation

What can you say when you have to speak to someone for the first time or when you have to open a meeting? Here are some possible ways of starting a conversation or getting the audience's attention before a talk or speech. 与人初次交谈时打开话题，会议开始要讲话，或者演讲之前引起听众注意，可用以下方式：

• ◆ Do you mind if I sit here? 我坐在这儿可以吗？
• ◆ Hello, is this seat taken? 你好，这个座位有人吗？
• ◆ May I join you? Can I get you a coffee? 可以和你一起吗？我给你拿杯咖啡好吗？
• ◆ Lovely weather we're having!/Can you believe this rain/wind/cold/sunshine? 多好的天气呀！/真想不到会下这么大雨/刮这么大风/这么冷/阳光这么灿烂！
• ◆ Excuse me, could I ask you a question? 打扰一下，可以问您一个问题吗？
• ◆ Shall we make a start? I think it's almost three o'clock. (BrE) 我们马上开始好吗？我看都快三点了。
• ◆ Shall we get started? I'd like to introduce our speaker. (especially NAmE) 我们开始吧？我来介绍一下演讲人。
• ◆ I think everyone's here, so I'd like to welcome you to this conference. 我想大家都到齐了，在此我对出席本次会议的各位表示欢迎。