1.
to insert, to put in
To place something into an opening or container.
鍵を挿す。
To insert a key.
花を花瓶に挿す。
To put flowers in a vase.
コンセントを挿して電気をつけた。
I plugged it in and turned on the power.
髪にかんざしを挿すと、とてもきれい}に{見える。
When you put a hairpin in your hair, it looks very pretty.
パソコンにUSBメモリを挿して、写真のデータを移した。
I inserted a USB drive into the computer and transferred the photo data.
2.
to graft (plants)
To insert a cutting into soil or another plant.
枝を土に挿す。
To insert a cutting into soil.
挿し木で植物を増やす。
To propagate plants by cuttings.
芽を土に挿して水をやると、やがて根が出てくる。
If you insert a shoot into soil and water it, roots will eventually grow.
バラの枝を切って挿し木にしたら、うまく育った。
I cut a rose branch and made a cutting from it, and it grew well.
春になったら挿し木をして、庭の花を増やそうと思っている。
When spring comes, I plan to do some cuttings and increase the flowers in the garden.
挿す means to insert or put something into an opening, slot, or container.
TRANSITIVITY:
- Type: 他動詞 (transitive)
- Takes を particle for the object being inserted
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 花を花瓶に挿す: to put flowers in a vase
- 鍵を挿す: to insert a key
- コンセントを挿す: to plug in
- 髪に挿す: to put (ornament) in one's hair
COMPOUNDS:
- 挿し木: plant cutting (for propagation)
- 挿し絵: illustration (inserted in text)
KANJI DISTINCTION:
Several verbs read さす use different kanji:
- 挿す: to insert
- 刺す: to stab, pierce
- 指す: to point
- 差す: to hold up (umbrella)
- 射す: (light) to shine