挿さす

さ

す

JLPTN2Freq.FrequencyTop 20,000

挿す · godan verb (-su)

Form	Positive	Negative
Dictionary	挿さす	挿ささない
Polite	挿さします	挿さしません
Past polite	挿さしました	挿さしませんでした
Past	挿さした	挿ささなかった
Te-form	挿さして	挿ささないで
Desire	挿さしたい	挿さしたくない
Potential	挿させる	挿させない
Passive	挿さされる	挿さされない
Causative	挿ささせる	挿ささせない
Causative passive	挿ささせられる	挿ささせられない
Volitional	挿さそう
Polite volitional	挿さしましょう
Imperative	挿させ	挿さすな
Conditional	挿させば	挿ささなければ
Tara conditional	挿さしたら	挿ささなかったら

Meanings

godan verb (-su), transitive verb

insert; put in

General physical insertion: putting something into a slot, holder, or container. Often used with objects like cards, keys, flowers into a vase, or a bookmark.

Usage patterns

〈場ば所しょ〉に〈物もの〉を挿さすto insert something into a place or slot
花か瓶びんに花はなを挿さした。
I put the flowers into the vase.
刀かたなを腰こしに挿さすto wear a sword at one's waist
武ぶ士しは刀かたなを腰こしに挿さしていた。
The samurai wore a sword at his waist.
〈物もの〉を土つちに挿さすto plant a cutting in soil
枝えだを土つちに挿さして増ふやす。
You propagate it by planting a cutting in the soil.
〈物もの〉をスロットに挿さすto insert a card or key into a slot
ATMにカードを挿さした。
I inserted the card into the ATM.

Kanji

挿insert, put in, graft

Related words

入いれるN5sense 1
入れる is the general verb for putting something into a container or space, while 挿す implies a tighter, deliberate insertion into a slot or holder.
生いけるN1sense 3
生ける is the standard, more formal term for arranging flowers in ikebana, while 挿す focuses on the simple physical act of inserting the stems.

Opposites

抜ぬくN3sense 1
抜く means to pull something out, the opposite action of 挿す, which means to insert it.
引ひき抜ぬくN1
挿す means to insert or stick something in, the opposite action of 引き抜く, which means to pull it out.

Don't confuse with

差さすN5
差す shares the same reading but covers unrelated meanings like raising an umbrella or light shining, whereas 挿す is specifically about inserting or planting something.
鎖さす sense 5
鎖す is a rare homophone meaning to shut or lock something, quite different from 挿す's meaning of inserting or planting.

Word family

挿さし木き
cutting; planting a cutting
一いち輪りん挿ざし
small vase for one or two flowers · flower arrangement of one or two flowers
挿さし花ばな
flowers in a vase or lapel
直じか挿ざし
direct planting of a cutting; sticking a cutting directly into soil
挿さし込こむ
insert; put in; plug in

Written forms

挿さす
Standard kanji for inserting, planting cuttings, and arranging flowers. Distinct from 差す (raise, hold, shine, etc.).
さすUsage100%
Kana spelling is common in everyday writing, especially when the intended kanji is broad or not important.

Etymology

The kanji 挿 combines 扌 (hand) and 臿 (pestle, to insert), suggesting the action of inserting by hand. The reading さす is native Japanese and shared with several homophonous verbs.