Chinese Conversation · Level 14
90 words
Chinese word
插
Pronunciation
Pinyinchā
Meaning
- verbinsert
Example
请把钥匙插进锁里。qǐng bǎ yào shi chā jìn suǒ lǐ
Please insert the key into the lock.
More examples
请把SIM卡插到手机里。qǐng bǎ SIM kǎ chā dào shǒu jī lǐ
Please insert the SIM card into the phone.
Core concept
A hand pushes one thing into an opening or an ongoing flow, where it becomes fixed, connected, or disruptive.
Common phrases
插进chā jìn
insert into
插入chā rù
insert
插上电源chā shàng diàn yuán
plug in
Similar words
插入chā rù: Moves something inside another thing so it takes up a place there.
塞sāi: Forces something into a gap or opening to fill it and stop anything from passing through.
Definition in Chinese
用手或工具将一物的一端放入另一物的孔、缝隙或表面，使其固定、连接或穿过；口语中也可指在谈话或行为中插入言语或动作。yòng shǒu huò gōng jù jiāng yí wù de yì duān fàng rù lìng yí wù de kǒng fèng xì huò biǎo miàn shǐ qí gù dìng lián jiē huò chuān guò kóu yǔ zhōng yě kě zhǐ zài tán huà huò xíng wéi zhōng chā rù yán yǔ huò dòng zuò
Word origin
The character combines the hand radical with a sound-bearing component, linking its written form to the action of putting an object into a gap and extending that image to words entering a conversation.
Usage tips
- In conversation, this word can describe entering before another speaker has finished, so turn-taking context helps distinguish a normal contribution from an unwelcome one.