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挿す (さす) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

挿さす

さ

す

JLPTN2Freq.FrequencyTop 20,000

Meanings

1

godan verb (-su), transitive verb

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.

See also: 差す

カードをATMに挿さしてください。
Please insert your card into the ATM.
花か瓶びん

に

花はな

を

挿さ

す

。

I put flowers in a vase.

2

godan verb (-su), transitive verb

plant a cutting; strike a cutting

Horticultural use: inserting a stem or cutting into soil or medium to propagate a plant. Often seen in compounds like 挿し木.

See also: 挿し木

バラの枝えだを土つちに挿さして増ふやした。
I propagated roses by planting cuttings in the soil.

3

godan verb (-su), transitive verb

arrange flowers

Specifically for flower arrangement (生け花), where stems are inserted into a kenzan or vase. Related to 挿し花.

See also: 挿し花

彼かの女じょは毎まい週しゅう、花はなを挿さすのを楽たのしみにしている。
She looks forward to arranging flowers every week.

4

godan verb (-su), transitive verb

wear a sword in one's belt

Historical or literary usage: tucking a sword into one's obi. Modern contexts are limited to period dramas or descriptions of samurai.

See also: 差す

侍さむらいは腰こしに刀かたなを挿さしていた。
The samurai wore a sword at his waist.

5

godan verb (-su), transitive verb

shut; close; lock; fasten

Rare and archaic use for shutting or locking something, such as a door or gate. Modern Japanese uses 閉める or 鍵をかける. Cross-referenced with 鎖す.

See also: 鎖す

古こ語ごでは、門もんを挿さすと言いうことがあった。
In old language, 挿す could mean to shut a gate.

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.

Kanji

挿insert, put in, graft

Similar words

差さす
差す covers raising (an umbrella), holding (a sword aloft), shining (light), and other abstract extensions. 挿す is specifically for inserting or planting.
入いれる
入れる is the general verb for putting something into a container or space. 挿す implies a tighter fit or deliberate insertion into a slot or holder.
生いける
生ける is the standard verb for arranging flowers in ikebana. 挿す can be used similarly but is less formal and more focused on the physical act of inserting stems.

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.