寒暄 hánxuān to exchange conventional greetings
to exchange conventional greetings; to exchange pleasantries
How to remember 寒暄: 寒 freezing + 暄 warm = to exchange conventional greetings.
Characters
How it is used
- To make small talk / exchange pleasantries - 他们寒暄了几句才谈正事 (tāmen hánxuān le jǐ jù cái tán zhèngshì) they exchanged a few pleasantries before getting to business.
- Specifically the polite ritual chat at the start of a meeting (weather, health), not deep conversation; literally 'cold-warm,' echoing '嘘寒问暖.'
- Written/formal register; a nice upgrade over 聊天 (liáotiān) when the context is social courtesy.