Chinese idiom · 成语
谈笑风生
Meaning
Talking and laughing with ease; lively and witty conversation.
Character by character
Origin and story
poetic expressionThe image is of conversation so animated that a breeze seems to rise from the speakers' cheeks. Xin Qiji uses it in a Song lyric beginning Miao Ling Xiu Fa, written for Xia Chengyu. The poem praises a gifted person and imagines a meeting filled with lively talk, literary discussion, and drinking, away from worldly burdens. Its 'wind' is an expression of energy and ease, not a report of actual weather. The phrase later became a general description of engaging, cheerful conversation. It can suggest wit and confidence, but does not require a formal debate or a victory over someone else.
Sources and further reading
In everyday life
多年没见的老同学围坐在桌边，谈笑风生，谁也不舍得先走。
Old classmates who had not met for years sat around the table in lively conversation, and nobody wanted to leave first.
Describes animated, enjoyable conversation rather than merely speaking loudly.