打岔

• Pinyin: dǎ chà
• Hanzi breakdown: 打 = 扌+ 丁 (to strike); 岔 = 山 + 分 (fork, branch)

Meaning

To interrupt; to cut in; to change the subject. Describes the action of breaking into someone's speech or deliberately diverting a conversation.

Can be unintentional (interrupting without meaning to) or intentional (steering away from an uncomfortable topic). Often considered impolite in formal contexts but common in casual conversation.

Examples

1. 我正说到关键处，他突然打岔，把话题扯到别的地方去了。 I was getting to the crucial point when he suddenly interrupted and steered the topic elsewhere.
2. 小孩子最喜欢在大人讲话的时候打岔，根本不管场合。 Little kids love to interrupt when adults are talking, regardless of the occasion.
3. 每次一提到结婚的事，她就打岔，看来是不想讨论。 Every time marriage comes up, she changes the subject — clearly she doesn't want to discuss it.

Usage Guide

Context: conversation, everyday

Tone: casual

Do Say

• 别打岔，让他把话说完。(Don't interrupt — let him finish what he's saying.)
• 不好意思打岔一下，有个急事要说。(Sorry to interrupt, but there's something urgent I need to say.)

Don't Say

• 请打岔我的演讲 (打岔 implies unwanted interruption — don't use it as a polite request to be interrupted)

Origin & History

Compound of 打 (to strike, a versatile action verb) + 岔 (fork, branch). The image of branching off from the main path of conversation.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal