samtalas

Samtalas is a Swedish verb meaning to engage in dialogue or to hold talks, typically in formal, diplomatic, or organizational contexts. The form samtalas is the present passive or impersonal form of samtala, and is used to indicate that talks are taking place or are planned. In active voice, the verb appears as samtalar, as in “Parterna samtalar regelbundet,” meaning the parties converse regularly. The related noun samtal means “a conversation” or “a talk.”

Etymology and usage: The word derives from samtala, built from sam- “together” and tala “to speak.” It signals structured, goal-oriented discussion rather than casual chat. It is commonly used about bilateral or multilateral discussions, negotiations, or exchanges of information. Typical collocations include samtala med, inleda samtal, genomföra samtal, and återuppta samtal. In journalism and official diplomacy, samtalas often appears in statements describing ongoing dialogue or planned talks between parties such as governments, organizations, or unions.

Related terms and cross-linguistic notes: In Danish and Norwegian, cognate forms exist with similar meanings related to speaking together and holding talks. The distinction between samtala (to converse) and forhandling (negotiation) is important in formal texts. See also: samtal, förhandling.