बातचीत करना

You treat this as a standard 'karna' (to do) verb. You can use it in any tense. If you are at a market, you might say you want to baatchit about the price. In an office, you baatchit about a project deadline. It's very flexible. Just remember to use the postposition se (with) for the person you are talking to. For example, unse baatchit karo means 'negotiate with them'.

Use it when things are up in the air. It’s perfect for the classic Indian street shopping experience. If the vendor says 500 rupees and you want to pay 200, it's time for baatchit. It’s also great for resolving a tiff with a friend. If there's a misunderstanding, you sit down and baatchit to fix it. It works for salary discussions too. Basically, anytime you need a verbal bridge to get what you want.

Don't use this for a quick 'hello'. If you just want to say 'I talked to him', use baat ki. Baatchit karna implies a longer, more involved process. Don't use it if the conversation is one-sided, like a lecture. Also, avoid it in extremely high-stakes legal 'arbitration' where more technical terms like madhyasthta might fit better. It's a bit too 'chatty' for a courtroom but perfect for the hallway outside it.

In India, almost everything is negotiable. From the auto-rickshaw fare to the dowry-less wedding arrangements, baatchit is a cultural art form. It reflects a society that values human connection over fixed labels. A price tag is often seen as a 'suggestion' rather than a rule. Engaging in baatchit shows you are serious and respect the other person's time. It’s the glue that keeps social and commercial transactions moving smoothly.

You will often hear baat-cheet (with a long 'ee' sound). Sometimes people just say baat chal rahi hai (talks are ongoing). In more formal settings, you might hear varta (discussion). But baatchit is the king of the middle ground. It’s neither too stiff nor too slangy. It’s the 'Goldilocks' of Hindi conversational terms.