插手

You use it like a verb. You can say 插手 followed by the matter you are meddling in. For example, 插手家事 means interfering in family matters. You can also use it with 管 (guǎn) to say 插手管闲事. It’s simple and direct. Don't use it for helpful assistance. Use it when the involvement feels intrusive.

Use it when a coworker tries to take over your project. Use it when a relative gives unwanted dating advice. It's perfect for office politics or family drama. If someone is being a 'backseat driver' in life, this is your word. It works well in both spoken and written Chinese. It's great for setting boundaries.

Never use it if you are actually asking for help. If you want a mentor's advice, don't say they are 'interfering.' Avoid it in purely positive collaborations. It sounds accusatory. If your boss is doing their job by checking your work, don't use 插手. That might get you fired! Keep it for unwanted or inappropriate meddling.

Chinese culture values social harmony and 'face.' However, family boundaries can often be blurry. Relatives often feel they have a right to 'insert a hand' in your life. Using 插手 is a way to signal that a boundary has been crossed. It reflects a modern shift toward personal privacy. It’s a word that guards your individual space.

You might hear 插一脚 (chā yī jiǎo), which means 'to stick a foot in.' This is even more informal and slightly more annoying. There is also 干涉 (gānshè), which is the formal, 'government-level' version of interference. 插手 sits right in the middle. It’s punchy, descriptive, and very common in daily life.