Say it like this
- Let's have a quick tech talk about the API
- I need to tech talk with the backend team
- We had a good tech talk and figured out the bug
Use it at work
Inviting
- Join the tech talk on observability on Friday.
- I'm giving a tech talk at the meetup.
Volunteering
- Can I do a tech talk on our new pipeline?
- Who wants to give next month's tech talk?
Afterward
- Great tech talk! Can you share the slides?
- The tech talk recording is on YouTube.
Don't say this
Tech talk is informal discussion, not a prepared presentation. Use presentation or talk for formal events.
Don't mix it up
| Term | What it is | Who writes or uses it | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| tech talk | Technical presentation | Engineers | Meetups, internal |
| lunch and learn | Learning session at lunch | Anyone | Lunchtime |
| brown bag | Informal lunch session | Anyone | Lunchtime |
Practice
Try it
4 quick exercises
1. You need to discuss a caching issue with a colleague. What do you say?
2. I had a _______ with the security team about the authentication bug. (use: tech talk or quick tech talk)
3. Which sentence uses tech talk incorrectly?
4. Rewrite this in natural tech English using tech talk: We need to have an informal discussion about how to fix the memory leak.
Say it out loud
Phrase 1 of 3
"Let's have a quick tech talk about the API"
We don't save your recording. The word check uses your browser's speech recognition.
More about tech talk
Real examples(3)
- in a standup
"We should have a tech talk about the database migration strategy before we start coding."
- in a code review
"I had a tech talk with Sarah about this algorithm, and she suggested a better approach."
- in a team message
"The performance issue is complex. Let's tech talk about it this afternoon."
More mistakes(2)
Handle with care. Do not confuse with a formal presentation or conference talk. Tech talk is informal discussion about technical issues, not a prepared speech.
- ✕We tech talked for three hours.✓We had a tech talk for three hours.
Both can be correct, but had a tech talk is more common and natural sounding.
- ✕Let us tech talk the entire codebase.✓Let's discuss the codebase.
Tech talk is for specific technical issues or solutions, not for broad or vague topics.
Other forms(2)
- tech talk noun
"We need a tech talk about the deployment process."
- tech talk verb
"Let us tech talk this issue with the frontend team."
Often used with(4)
- have a tech talk · Most common collocation. Example: Have a tech talk with the DevOps team about scaling.
- quick tech talk · Describes a brief, informal discussion. Example: I had a quick tech talk and resolved the issue.
- tech talk about · Specifies the topic. Example: We had a tech talk about caching strategies.
- tech talk with · Indicates participants. Example: I need a tech talk with the backend team.
Similar words(4)
- technical discussion · More formal alternative, emphasizes the structured nature.
- huddle · Quick, informal group discussion but less technical.
- sync · Short synchronous meeting, but less specifically technical.
- brainstorm · Broader problem-solving discussion, not necessarily technical.
Opposites(3)
- formal presentation
- prepared speech
- documentation
Questions(5)
- What does tech talk mean in software engineering?
- In software engineering, a tech talk is an informal, unscheduled discussion between technical professionals about a specific technical problem, solution, or implementation detail. It is different from a formal meeting or presentation because it is collaborative and spontaneous.
- How do you use tech talk in a sentence at work?
- You typically use tech talk with the structure have a tech talk or tech talk about/with. Examples: We should have a tech talk about the database design. or I need to tech talk with the frontend team about this bug.
- Is tech talk formal or informal?
- Tech talk is very informal. It represents casual, spontaneous discussion among technical staff. It is not a prepared presentation or formal meeting. If you are preparing a presentation for a conference or large audience, that is called a technical presentation or talk, not a tech talk.
- Can tech talk be used as a verb?
- Yes, tech talk can be used as a verb in informal contexts. For example: Let us tech talk this before we commit. However, the more natural structure is usually have a tech talk about it. Both are acceptable in casual workplace communication.
- When should you suggest having a tech talk?
- You should suggest a tech talk when you need to discuss a technical issue quickly with a small group, solve a problem collaboratively, or share technical knowledge informally. Examples: before starting a complex feature, when debugging a critical issue, or when you need input from a specific technical expert.
