合あいの手てを入いれる

あ

い

の

て

を

い

れ

る

Meanings

1

expression, ichidan verb

chime in; interject; put in a word or gesture

Used when someone adds a comment, quip, or gesture during a pause in conversation, music, or performance. Often light or supportive, not a rude interruption.

彼かれの話はなしに合あいの手てを入いれて、場ばを和なごませた。
I chimed in during his story and lightened the mood.
演えん

奏そう

中ちゅう

に

観かん

客きゃく

が

合あ

いの

手て

を

入い

れる

の

は

よく

ある

こと

だ

。

It's common for the audience to interject during a performance.

Written forms

合あいの手てを入いれる
Standard kanji spelling for this expression.
あいの手てを入いれる
Mixed kana-kanji spelling; sometimes used for readability.
合あいの手てをいれる
Mixed kanji-kana spelling; 入れる is often written in kana.

Kanji

合fit, suit, join
手hand
入enter, insert

Similar words

口くちを挟はさむ
口を挟む is more direct and can imply a potentially unwelcome interruption, while 合いの手を入れる suggests a well-timed, often supportive interjection.
相あい槌づちを打うつ
相槌を打つ refers to giving brief backchannel responses (like 'うん' or 'そうですね') during a conversation, whereas 合いの手を入れる involves adding a more substantial comment or gesture.

Etymology

合いの手 (あいのて) originally referred to a musical interlude or a call-and-response pattern in traditional Japanese music. Adding を入れる creates the idiomatic expression meaning to interject a remark or gesture at an opportune moment.