挟
pinch, between
Readings
On'yomi
- キョウ
- ショウ
Kun'yomi
- はさ.む
- はさ.まる
- わきばさ.む
- さしはさ.む
Meaning
挟 centers on holding something tightly between two sides: pinching, clamping, or being wedged in between.
Most common words using 挟
20 of 25- 挟むはさむN2
to hold between (e.g. one's fingers, chopsticks); to grip (from both sides)
- 挟まるはさまるN2
to get between; to be caught in
- 挟みはさみ
clip
- 板挟みいたばさみ
being stuck between a rock and a hard place; being in a dilemma; being torn between conflicting demands
- 挟み撃ちはさみうち
attack on both sides; pincer movement; double envelopment
- 挟み込むはさみこむ
to insert; to put between; to tuck (into)
- 挟撃きょうげき
attack on both sides; pincer movement; double envelopment
- 挟殺きょうさつ
rundown
- 口を挟むくちをはさむN1
to cut into (a conversation); to interject
- 耳に挟むみみにはさむN1
to happen to hear; to overhear
- カニ挟みかにばさみ
flying scissors; kani basami; leg lock
- 嘴を挟むくちばしをはさむ
to stick one's nose into (someone else's business); to meddle; to interfere; to butt in
- 奥歯に物が挟まるおくばにものがはさまる
to beat around the bush; to not speak frankly; to talk in a roundabout way
- 小耳に挟むこみみにはさむ
to happen to hear; to overhear
- 差し挟むさしはさむ
to insert
- 挟み上げるはさみあげる
to pick up (with chopsticks); to take
- 挟み付けはさみつけ
clamp
- 挟射きょうしゃ
ejaculation during mammary intercourse; titjob cumshot
- 挟撃作戦きょうげきさくせん
pincer operation (tactic)
- 挟書きょうしょ
possession of books
Study
Etymology
挟 is the modern simplified form of 挾. The older form combines 扌 (hand) with 夾, which likely contributed the sound and the idea of pinching or holding between two sides.
Meaning mnemonic
The hand 扌 on the left holds the 夹 shape, which looks like a person squeezed between two sides. Picture a hand pinching something between thumb and finger.
Reading mnemonic
For キョウ, imagine a hand pinching a key between two fingers: key -> キョウ, and the key is held tightly in between.