Definition
话不投机 is a four-character idiom (chengyu) that literally means 'words don't (agree)'. It describes a conversation that goes poorly because the two speakers have fundamentally different views or personalities, making the exchange uncomfortable or argumentative. You can use it when you meet someone and just can't find anything to talk about without clashing.
f.e.
when conversation becomes disagreeable or hostileto be unable to carry on a pleasant talk
Examples
- 话不投机，。Wǒmen liǎ huà bú, shuō bu dào jǐ jù huà jiù chǎo qǐlai.We two can't have a pleasant talk; after a few words we start arguing.
- 话不投机，。Gēn nà zhǒng rén huà bú, háishì shǎo shuōhuà bǐjiào hǎo.With that kind of person the conversation is disagreeable; it's better to talk less.
- 话不投机，。Tāmen yí jiànmiàn jiù gǎnjué huà bú, qìfēn hěn gāngà.As soon as they met, they felt the conversation was not going well, and the atmosphere was very awkward.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.