插

揷

chā

扌 + 臿

HSK 2.0Level 5

HSK 3.0Level 5

Definitions

chā (verb) to insert; to stick in; to pierce

chā (verb) to interfere; to meddle

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 扌 represents the meaning and 臿 represents the sound.

Semantic: 扌 Phonetic: 臿

About

插 is a phonosemantic compound: 扌 (a form of 手 'hand') on the left signals a manual action, while 臿 (chā) on the right provides the sound and originally depicted a spade-like tool for piercing the earth. The core meaning is to insert, stick, or plunge an object into a narrow opening or solid substance. This encompasses physical acts like arranging flowers in a vase or plugging an electrical cord into a socket, and extends abstractly to interrupting a conversation with a remark or intervening where one is an outsider.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

请把钥匙插进门锁。

Qǐng bǎ yàoshi chā jìn mén suǒ.

Please insert the key into the door lock.

有人喜欢在排队时插队。

Yǒurén xǐhuān zài páiduì shí chāduì.

Some people like to cut in line when queuing.

墙上有一个电源插座。

Qiáng shàng yǒu yīgè diànyuán chāzuò.

There is a power socket on the wall.

他讲话时，别人不能随便插嘴。

Tā jiǎnghuà shí, biérén bùnéng suíbiàn chāzuǐ.

When he is speaking, others cannot casually interrupt.

这本书里插入了很多精美的图片。

Zhè běn shū lǐ chārùle hěnduō jīngměi de túpiàn.

This book has many beautiful pictures inserted in it.

她把鲜花插在了花瓶里。

Tā bǎ xiānhuā chā zàile huāpíng lǐ.

She put the fresh flowers in the vase.

这个项目是由政府直接投资插手的。

Zhège xiàngmù shì yóu zhèngfǔ zhíjiē tóuzī chāshǒu de.

This project was directly intervened in and invested by the government.

学习插花艺术需要耐心和创意。

Xuéxí chāhuā yìshù xūyào nàixīn hé chuàngyì.

Learning the art of flower arrangement requires patience and creativity.

Related Characters

Component: 扌

Component: 臿

插