Definition
插嘴 (chā zuǐ) is a separable verb (离合词) meaning 'to interrupt, butt in' — it specifically refers to cutting into someone's speech, often rudely. Unlike 打断 (dǎ duàn), which can interrupt any activity or speech, 插嘴 is only about conversation and can split (e.g., 插了一句嘴 'cut in with a remark'). It is more colloquial than 打断.
verb
to interrupt (someone speaking)to butt in
Examples
- ，插嘴。Tā shuōhuà de shíhou, biérén zuì hǎo bú yào chā zuǐ.When he's speaking, others had better not interrupt.
- ，。Wǒ zhèng xiǎng shuōhuà, tā jiù chā le yí jù zuǐ.I was just about to speak, and she cut in with a remark.
- ，插嘴。Tāmen zài tǎolùn zhòngyào wèntí, nǐ bié chā zuǐ.They're discussing an important issue — don't butt in.
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