Translation guide
The English verb 'interrupt' covers a range of situations from breaking into a conversation to temporarily stopping an action. Japanese uses different words and strategies depending on whether you are interrupting speech, an activity, or a process, and the level of politeness required.
To break into a conversation or cut someone off while they are talking.
The most direct and common verb for interrupting speech. Can be used in both casual and formal contexts.
彼の話を遮って質問した。
I interrupted his story to ask a question.
すみません、ちょっとお話を遮ります。
Excuse me, I'll just interrupt you for a moment.
Literally 'to insert one's mouth in the middle of a story'. A common, slightly casual way to describe interrupting.
話の途中で口を挟んですみません。
Sorry for interrupting you in the middle of your story.
Means to cut in or butt in, often with a nuance of rudeness or force. Used for interrupting conversations or cutting in line.
会話に割り込まないでください。
Please don't interrupt the conversation.
In Japanese, it's important to soften interruptions with set phrases. Common ones include 「失礼します」(しつれいします) 'Excuse me', 「ちょっとよろしいでしょうか」 'May I have a moment?', or 「お話し中すみません」(おはなしちゅうすみません) 'Sorry to interrupt while you're talking'.
お話し中すみません、ちょっとよろしいでしょうか。
Sorry to interrupt, but may I have a moment?
To temporarily stop an ongoing action, event, or flow.
A formal verb meaning to suspend or interrupt something temporarily. Used for meetings, work, broadcasts, etc.
会議を中断して休憩を取りましょう。
Let's interrupt the meeting and take a break.
放送が中断された。
The broadcast was interrupted.
Means to obstruct or hinder. Often used when something interrupts progress or concentration.
Common verb meaning to disturb or get in the way. Can be used for interrupting someone's activity or peace.
勉強を邪魔しないで。
Don't interrupt my studying.
To block or obscure a view.
Also used for physically blocking light, sound, or view.
新しいビルが景色を遮っている。
The new building is interrupting the view.
Can be used for obstructing a view, though less common than 遮る for physical blocking.
To cut off electricity, communication, or flow.
Means to cut off or block completely. Used for power, water, communication lines.
地震で電気が遮断された。
The electricity was interrupted by the earthquake.
Can be used for temporary interruption of services or signals.
通信が中断された。
Communication was interrupted.
遮る (さえぎる) is for interrupting speech or blocking something physically. 中断する (ちゅうだんする) is for suspending an ongoing activity or process, often formally. 邪魔する (じゃまする) is for disturbing or getting in the way, and is more casual.
The loanword インタラプト exists but is mainly used in technical computing contexts (e.g., hardware interrupts). It is not used for everyday conversation interruptions.
騒音が仕事を妨げた。
The noise interrupted my work.
木々が視界を妨げている。
The trees are interrupting the view.