Chat, nm : a domestic cat (male), tomcat; instant messaging, chat room.
chat de gouttière : stray cat, feral cat, alley cat
appeler un chat un chat : call a spade a spade
appelons un chat un chat : say it like it is, call a spade a spade, not mince your words
avoir un chat dans la gorge : have a frog in your throat

The French word « chat » looks exactly like the English word “chat.”

The word “chat” in English typically is used as a verb to mean “to talk lightly or casually.” The same word can refer to “an online conversation.”

In French « chat » is used as a noun and means a domestic cat (male), tomcat; instant messaging, chat room.

Mon chat aime chasser les souris.
My cat loves hunting mice.

J’ai parlé à Vincent hier par chat.
I talked to Vincent yesterday on IM.

J’ai parlé avec Martin hier sur un chat.
I spoke to Martin yesterday in a chat room.