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插嘴 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
插嘴chāzuǐto interrupt (sb talking)HSK 7, unknown, 28 strokes, rank #11150, Very Hard
插嘴chāzuǐto butt inHSK 7, unknown, 28 strokes, rank #11150, Very Hard
插嘴chāzuǐto cut into a conversationHSK 7, unknown, 28 strokes, rank #11150, Very Hard
chāzuǐ(cha1zui3)cha zui T1
  1. 1to interrupt (sb talking)
  2. 2to butt in
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March 24, 2026

插嘴chāzuǐ(cha1zui3)

插嘴 (chāzuǐ) means to interrupt someone while they are speaking or to butt in during a conversation. This term is often used in informal contexts and can carry a negative connotation, indicating rudeness or a lack of politeness.

Strokes28Frequency#11150DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, interrupting someone is generally considered impolite, especially in formal settings. Understanding when it's appropriate to '插嘴' can help you navigate social interactions more effectively.

Memory tip

Imagine a pair of lips (嘴) with a pair of chopsticks (插) trying to push their way into a conversation, disrupting the flow. The '插' (chā) suggests inserting something, while '嘴' (zuǐ) relates to the mouth, helping you remember that this action involves interrupting someone's speech.

Meanings of 插嘴

chāzuǐ(cha1zui3)
1to interrupt (sb talking)
2to butt in
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About 插嘴

插嘴Simplified
28Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

Podcast: 插嘴

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Podcast: 插嘴

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AI study notes for 插嘴

Quick Contrast

打断 (dǎduàn) - use 插嘴 when emphasizing the rudeness of interrupting, while 打断 is more neutral and can refer to any interruption.

Usage Notes

Be careful when using 插嘴, as it can sound rude if used in formal situations. Common collocations include 插嘴的习惯 (habit of interrupting) and 插嘴来打断 (to interrupt by butting in). Remember that the tone can affect the meaning; using a lighter tone may soften the rudeness.

HSK Study Tips

Although 插嘴 is not listed in the HSK vocabulary, it is useful for conversational fluency. As a learner, focus on understanding its usage in dialogues, as it can enhance your ability to navigate discussions where interruptions might occur.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 插嘴 in formal conversations, thinking it’s acceptable. Instead, try using a more polite phrase like '打断' (dǎduàn) to indicate interruption without the rudeness associated with 插嘴.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 插嘴

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Component characters

插chāto insert
HSK 512 strokes扌
View full entry
嘴zuǐmouth
HSK 316 strokes口
View full entry

How to say to interrupt (sb talking) in Chinese

“to interrupt (sb talking)” in Chinese is插嘴chāzuǐ

插嘴 (chāzuǐ) means to interrupt someone while they are speaking or to butt in during a conversation. This term is often used in informal contexts and can carry a negative connotation, indicating rudeness or a lack of politeness.

When to use 插嘴

Be careful when using 插嘴, as it can sound rude if used in formal situations. Common collocations include 插嘴的习惯 (habit of interrupting) and 插嘴来打断 (to interrupt by butting in). Remember that the tone can affect the meaning; using a lighter tone may soften the rudeness.

插嘴 or something close to it

打断 (dǎduàn) - use 插嘴 when emphasizing the rudeness of interrupting, while 打断 is more neutral and can refer to any interruption.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mistakenly use 插嘴 in formal conversations, thinking it’s acceptable. Instead, try using a more polite phrase like '打断' (dǎduàn) to indicate interruption without the rudeness associated with 插嘴.

Write 插嘴

插
嘴

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Cultural Notes for 插嘴

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, interrupting can sometimes be seen as a sign of enthusiasm or engagement, while in Chinese culture, it is often viewed negatively and as disrespectful.

Frequently asked questions about 插嘴

Yes,插嘴 is typically seen as impolite, especially in formal contexts.

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