Translation guide
How to express interrupting or joining a conversation in Japanese, from polite interjections to rude intrusions.
He always butts in on other people's conversations.
Literally 'to insert one's mouth', meaning to interject or chip in with a comment. Can be neutral or negative depending on context.
Sorry for butting in while you were talking.
To butt in from the side, often implying unsolicited advice or interference.
Please don't butt in.
To enter a conversation or group activity without being asked, sometimes with a nuance of being unwelcome.
To insert oneself into a conversation. 入り込む implies entering deeply or intrusively.
It's rude to butt into a conversation between strangers.
A polite set phrase used when entering someone's space or joining a group, literally 'I'm intruding'. Softens the act of butting in.
To barge in or crash a party/conversation. Stronger and more dramatic than 割り込む.
I totally butted into the party.
To push into a queue or line ahead of others.
割り込む is a general term for butting in physically or verbally, often with a negative nuance of intrusion. 口を挟む is specifically about interjecting a comment, and can be neutral when used with apologies like すみません.
Stop butting into the conversation.
May I butt in for a moment?
Do not try to translate 'butt' literally. Phrases like お尻を入れる are nonsensical. Use the idiomatic expressions above.
Sorry to butt in. What are you talking about?