1.
to butt in; to interrupt; to interject
To insert a comment or opinion into someone else's conversation or discussion, often uninvited. Literally 'to insert one's mouth.'
口を挟まないで。
Don't butt in.
彼が話に口を挟んできた。
He butted into the conversation.
会議中に上司が口を挟む余地もなかった。
During the meeting, there was no room for the boss to interject.
USAGE: 口を挟む usually carries a slightly negative nuance, suggesting the interruption was unwelcome or unsolicited. However, it can also be neutral depending on context.
PARTICLE PATTERNS:
- [topic]に口を挟む (to butt into [a topic/conversation])
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 話に口を挟む: to interrupt a conversation
- 口を挟む余地がない: no room to get a word in
- 横から口を挟む: to butt in from the side
SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:
- 口出しする: to meddle, to interfere (stronger negative nuance)
- 割り込む: to cut in, to interrupt (more physical sense)