干扰

• Pinyin: gān rǎo
• Hanzi breakdown: 干 = to interfere; 扰 = to disturb

Meaning

To interfere; to disturb; interference. Disrupting normal functioning or activities.

Used for physical interference like radio signals, as well as disruption to work, sleep, or concentration. Can also describe unwanted external influence on decisions.

Examples

1. 手机信号受到了严重干扰。 The phone signal experienced severe interference.
2. 请不要干扰我工作，我很忙。 Please don't disturb my work — I'm very busy.
3. 外界因素干扰了实验结果。 External factors interfered with the experimental results.

Usage Guide

Context: technology, work, daily life

Tone: negative

Do Say

• 别干扰他。(Don't disturb him.)
• 信号干扰太严重了。(The signal interference is too severe.)

Don't Say

• 干扰一下 as a polite request (干扰 has negative connotations — for neutral requests to interact, use 打扰 instead)

Origin & History

Compound of 干 (to interfere, concern) + 扰 (to disturb), meaning to disturb by interference.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal