1.
to go through, to use as an intermediary
To use something or someone as a means, channel, or intermediary. Almost always appears in the pattern 〜を介して (through ~, via ~).
インターネットを介して情報を得る。
Obtain information through the internet.
通訳を介して会話した。
We conversed through an interpreter.
友人を介して紹介してもらった。
I was introduced through a friend.
2.
to mind, to care about
To be bothered by or concerned about something. Used in the negative pattern 意に介さない (not to care, not to be bothered).
彼は批判を意に介さない。
He doesn't care about criticism.
周囲の反対を意に介さず、自分の道を進んだ。
Without caring about the opposition around him, he pursued his own path.
彼女は失敗をまったく意に介していないようだった。
She didn't seem to care about the failure at all.
This verb almost always appears in fixed patterns rather than being used freely.
KEY PATTERNS:
- 〜を介して (through ~, via ~) — sense 1
- 〜を介する (to go through ~) — sense 1
- 意に介さない (not to care about, not to be bothered by) — sense 2
Sense 1 is formal and commonly appears in written language, news, and business contexts. 通じて (through) is a more casual alternative.
Sense 2 almost exclusively appears in the set phrase 意に介さない / 意に介する. The affirmative 意に介する is rare; the negative form is far more common.