干渉

かんしょう

interference, intervention

JLPT N1

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

The word "干渉" (かんしょう) primarily means "interference" or "intervention." It is often used in contexts where someone or something intervenes in matters that may not concern them directly, sometimes causing negative effects.

Common Contexts

  • Personal relationships: Parents interfering in their children's decisions.
  • International relations: Countries intervening in other nations' affairs.
  • Workplace: Avoiding interference in colleagues' tasks.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 干渉する (to interfere/intervene): The most common verb form.
  • 干渉しすぎる (to interfere too much): Indicates excessive intervention.
  • 干渉を避ける (to avoid interference): Used when someone deliberately refrains from intervening.

Register and Nuance

"干渉" often carries a negative nuance, implying unwanted or excessive involvement. It is a formal word, suitable for written and spoken Japanese, especially in serious or professional contexts.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse "干渉" with "介入" (かいにゅう), which also means intervention but often implies a more active or official involvement. "干渉" tends to emphasize unwanted or unnecessary interference, while "介入" can be neutral or positive depending on context.

Example Sentences

おやがこどものしんろにかんしょうしすぎると、こどものじしゅせいがそだちにくい。

If parents interfere too much in their children's career paths, it becomes difficult for the children to develop independence.

こくさいかんけいにおけるたこくのかんしょうは、ときにきんちょうをうむことがある。

Interference by other countries in international relations can sometimes cause tension.

かれはどうりょうのしごとにかんしょうしないようにしている。

He tries not to interfere with his colleague's work.