talking stage
/ˈtɔː.kɪŋ steɪdʒ/
Very CommonThe early phase of a potential relationship where two people text and flirt but haven't committed to anything.
Can last days or months. Often frustrating because there are no rules. Either person can leave without a formal breakup.
Real-world examples5 examples
| # | Example | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | we've been in the talking stage for two months. i need answers. | The undefined phase has gone on long enough that they want clarity. | x, 2023 |
| 02 | she's not my girlfriend, we're just in the talking stage | Clarifying that the connection isn't official yet. | tiktok, 2022 |
| 03 | the talking stage is so exhausting. just be my boyfriend already. | Wishing the ambiguous phase would end and turn into something official. | x, 2023 |
| 04 | the talking stage ended when he stopped texting back | The phase ended through ghosting rather than becoming a relationship. | |
| 05 | why is the talking stage always the best part and then it gets weird | The early pre-commitment phase can feel more exciting than actual dating. | tiktok, 2024 |
Use it when
- Describing the phase before officially dating someone.
- When there's mutual interest but no defined relationship yet.
- Explaining why you can't call someone your partner.
Do not use it when
- You're already in a defined relationship.
- You've only spoken once with no ongoing connection.
Talking stage vs situationship
talking stage
The talking stage is early. Things haven't escalated yet. It's still mostly texting and potential.
VS
situationship
A situationship is more developed. You're seeing each other, probably physically involved, but still undefined.
Origin and context
Emerged from gen Z dating vocabulary in the late 2010s as online and texting-based relationships made the pre-commitment phase more distinct and prolonged.
- First seen
- late-2010s
- Confidence
- medium
Cite this page
Use this stable URL to reference the entry.
https://slang.fyi/talking-stageUpdated: 2026-08-28License: CC BY 4.0