Translation guide
How to express the idea of interrupting or joining a conversation or situation without being invited, in Japanese.
He always butts into other people's conversations.
Literally 'to insert one's mouth'. A common, slightly softer way to say 'butt in' or 'chime in', often used when someone adds a comment without being asked.
Please don't butt in during the meeting.
Literally 'to put out one's mouth from the side'. Implies butting in from the sidelines, often with an unwanted opinion.
Don't butt in from the sidelines.
Literally 'to break the back of a conversation'. Means to interrupt someone's flow, often rudely, and is a bit more figurative.
She butted in and broke the flow of the conversation.
To involve oneself in someone else's business or affairs uninvited.
Means to meddle or butt in with unnecessary help or advice. 'お節介' implies being nosy or overly helpful.
He's always butting in with unwanted help.
A more formal term for 'interfere' or 'meddle'. Suitable for written or formal contexts.
Literally 'to put out an unnecessary mouth'. An older or more literary way to say butting in with unsolicited remarks.
No butting in, please. (Literary)
To push into a queue or line ahead of others.
English 'butt in' is highly idiomatic. Direct translations like 'お尻を入れる' are nonsensical in Japanese. Always use the expressions above depending on context.
割り込む is stronger and often implies rudely breaking into a conversation or line. 口を挟む is softer, more like 'chiming in' with a comment, though it can still be unwelcome.
Literally 'to stick one's neck into'. A vivid expression for butting into matters that don't concern you.
Don't butt into other people's problems.
He butted into my private life.