What does 插 mean in Chinese?

插 (chā) means "to insert; stick in; pierce; to take part in; to interfere; to interpose" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 5.

How do you pronounce 插?

插 is pronounced "chā" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 1.

What HSK level is 插?

插 is an HSK 5 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 5 on both the old and the new exam.

What words contain the character 插?

Common words with 插 include 插嘴 (to interrupt (sb talking)), 插图 (illustration), 内插 (to install (hardware) internally (rather than plugging it in as a peripheral)), 外插 (to extrapolate), 安插 (to place in a certain position).

How do you write 插?

You can practice writing 插 using our stroke order tool.

插 (chā), to insert

插

chā

to insert; stick in; pierce; to take part in

HSK 5verb

Character Breakdown

Radical: 手 (no. 64)

View stroke order →

Definitions

(verb) to insert
stick in
pierce
to take part in
to interfere
to interpose

Example Sentences

请把这个USB插入电脑。

Qǐng bǎ zhège USB chārù diànnǎo

Please insert this USB into the computer

Words Containing 插

Word	Pinyin	Meaning	HSK
插嘴	chā zuǐ	to interrupt (sb talking)	HSK 7-9
插图	chā tú	illustration	HSK 7-9
内插	nèi chā	to install (hardware) internally (rather than plugging it in as a peripheral)
外插	wài chā	to extrapolate
安插

Related Words

插上(chā shang)· to plug into

→

插入(chā rù)· to insert

→

插进(chā jìn)· to insert

→

下场(xià chǎng)· to leave (the stage, an exam room, the playing field etc)

→

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 5
HSK 2.0: HSK 5
HSK Lord study list: HSK 5 list

插: HSK 5 on both the old and the new exam. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 5 exam

Studying for HSK 5? Keep 插 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each character comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free The words new HSK 5 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.