Together, these characters paint a picture of a relationship that isn't just a fling. 谈恋爱 is a process of actively building a connection through conversation (谈) based on romantic feelings (恋) and love (爱).
In Western culture, “dating” can describe a wide range of activities, from a single, casual coffee meeting to a long-term, non-exclusive arrangement. 谈恋爱 is far more specific and carries more weight. 谈恋爱 vs. Western “Dating”: The key difference is commitment. If two people in China decide to 谈恋爱, they are explicitly agreeing to be in an exclusive relationship—they are boyfriend and girlfriend. This is a recognized status. You wouldn't typically 谈恋爱 with multiple people at once. The Western idea of “casually seeing a few people” doesn't have a direct equivalent and is less common in mainstream Chinese culture. Traditionally, the primary purpose of 谈恋爱 was to find a spouse (以结婚为目的的谈恋爱 - “to be in a relationship with the goal of marriage”). While this is becoming more relaxed among younger, urban generations, the underlying expectation of seriousness remains. Announcing you are in a 谈恋爱 relationship is a significant step, often leading to questions from family and friends about future plans.
This term is used constantly in daily life, from casual chats with friends to serious family discussions.
Its connotation is generally neutral, simply describing the state of being in a relationship. The surrounding words determine whether the feeling is positive or negative. It is used in both formal and informal speech.