挿す

• Reading: さす
• Romaji: sasu
• Kanji breakdown: 挿 (sō/sa) — insert, put in, graft
• Pronunciation: /sa.sɯ/

Meaning

To insert; to put in; to graft. The act of placing something into an opening or receptacle.

A Group 1 (godan) verb conjugated with the す row. Commonly used for inserting flowers into a vase (花を挿す), plugging in a cable, or grafting a plant cutting. Carries a gentler nuance than 入れる, implying a careful, precise insertion rather than simply putting something inside.

Examples

1. 花瓶にバラの花を挿した。 I put roses in the vase.
2. 充電器のプラグをコンセントに挿してください。 Please plug the charger into the outlet.
3. 庭師が新しい枝を挿して木を育てている。 The gardener is growing a tree by grafting new branches.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, gardening, flower arrangement

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 挿 combines 扌 (hand radical) and 臿 (to thrust in). A hand carefully placing something into a slot or opening.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal