Translation guide
How to express interrupting or joining a conversation in Japanese, from polite interjections to rude intrusions.
To break into an ongoing conversation, often abruptly or rudely.
The most direct and common way to say 'butt in' on a conversation. 割り込む means to cut in or interrupt.
彼はいつも人の話に割り込む。
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.
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.
知らない人たちの会話に入り込むのは失礼だ。
It's rude to butt into a conversation between strangers.
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.
話に割り込むのはやめて。
Stop butting into the conversation.
ちょっと口を挟んでもいいですか？
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 for butting in while you were talking.
To butt in from the side, often implying unsolicited advice or interference.
横から口を出さないでください。
Please don't butt in.
A polite set phrase used when entering someone's space or joining a group, literally 'I'm intruding'. Softens the act of butting in.
お邪魔します。何のお話ですか？
Sorry to butt in. What are you talking about?
To barge in or crash a party/conversation. Stronger and more dramatic than 割り込む.
パーティーに乱入してやった。
I totally butted into the party.
The standard verb for cutting in line. Can be used for both conversations and physical lines.
列に割り込まないでください。
Please don't butt in line.
Specifically means cutting into a line from the side. Common in casual speech.
あの人、横入りしたよ。
That person just butted in line.