jièrù: 介入 - To Intervene, To Get Involved, To Step In

• Keywords: jieru, 介入, 介入 meaning, how to say intervene in Chinese, get involved in Chinese, step in, Chinese word for mediate, intervention, jieru vs ganshe, medical intervention in Chinese, political intervention, 干涉
• Summary: Learn how to use 介入 (jièrù), the essential Chinese word for “to intervene” or “to get involved.” This page explores its meaning, from formal political and medical intervention to the more personal act of stepping into a situation. Understand the crucial difference between the neutral 介入 (jièrù) and the negative “meddling” of 干涉 (gānshè), and see how this term reflects cultural attitudes about personal boundaries and appropriate involvement.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): jièrù
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 6
• Concise Definition: To enter into a situation, conflict, or process to influence its course, often as an external party.
• In a Nutshell: 介入 (jièrù) literally means “to enter in between.” Think of it as an external force stepping into an ongoing event. This could be a doctor providing medical intervention, a government intervening in the economy, or a mediator stepping in to resolve a dispute. Its connotation is generally neutral and formal; whether the action is good or bad depends entirely on the context. It's less about casual meddling and more about purposeful, significant involvement.

• 介 (jiè): This character's core idea is “to be in between” or “to act as a medium.” It can also mean to introduce (介绍 jièshào). Picture it as a person standing between two other parties, acting as a go-between.
• 入 (rù): This character simply means “to enter” or “to go into.” The shape itself resembles an entrance or a wedge being driven into something.
• When combined, 介入 (jièrù) creates a very literal and vivid image: “to enter into the middle,” which perfectly captures the concept of intervention.

While 介入 (jièrù) is a functional term, its usage touches on important cultural norms regarding involvement in others' affairs. In many Western cultures, “getting involved” can be seen as a proactive and positive civic duty. In contrast, Chinese culture often places a higher value on respecting boundaries and not involving oneself in situations that are not one's direct responsibility. This is why 介入 (jièrù) often carries a formal weight. It implies that the person or entity intervening has a legitimate reason or authority to do so (e.g., a doctor, a court, a designated mediator). Unsolicited involvement is more likely to be described with the negative term 干涉 (gānshè) (to meddle). On a grand scale, this is reflected in China's long-standing foreign policy of “non-interventionism” (不干涉主义 bù gānshè zhǔyì), which opposes one country's 介入 in the internal affairs of another. Therefore, using 介入 (jièrù) correctly shows an understanding of social and political boundaries.

介入 (jièrù) is common in formal and semi-formal contexts. You'll frequently encounter it in news, academic discussions, and professional settings.

• Medical Context: This is one of the most common uses. Medical intervention is almost always `医疗介入 (yīliáo jièrù)`.
• Political and Legal Context: Used for government action, legal proceedings, or international relations. For example, `军事介入 (jūnshì jièrù)` (military intervention) or `司法介入 (sīfǎ jièrù)` (judicial intervention).
• Economic Context: Describes actions by central banks or governments to influence the market, e.g., `市场介入 (shìchǎng jièrù)` (market intervention).
• Personal Relationships (Formal): While less common in casual chat, it can be used to describe stepping into a serious personal dispute, like a family feud or a couple's argument. Using it here sounds more detached and serious than informal words like `插手 (chāshǒu)`.

• Example 1:
  • 及早的医疗介入是治疗这种疾病的关键。
  • Pinyin: Jízǎo de yīliáo jièrù shì zhìliáo zhè zhǒng jíbìng de guānjiàn.
  • English: Early medical intervention is the key to treating this disease.
  • Analysis: A classic, neutral, and positive use of 介入 in a medical context. It is the standard term.
• Example 2:
  • 联合国安理会决定介入该地区的冲突。
  • Pinyin: Liánhéguó Ānlǐhuì juédìng jièrù gāi dìqū de chōngtū.
  • English: The UN Security Council decided to intervene in the region's conflict.
  • Analysis: This is a formal, standard use in international politics. The connotation (positive or negative) depends on your view of the UN's action.
• Example 3:
  • 这是我们的家事，我希望你不要介入。
  • Pinyin: Zhè shì wǒmen de jiāshì, wǒ xīwàng nǐ búyào jièrù.
  • English: This is our family matter, I hope you won't get involved.
  • Analysis: Here, 介入 is used to create a firm but polite boundary. It's more formal and less accusatory than saying “don't meddle” (别干涉 bié gānshè).
• Example 4:
  • 如果没有第三方介入，这场商业谈判可能会失败。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ méiyǒu dìsānfāng jièrù, zhè chǎng shāngyè tánpàn kěnéng huì shībài.
  • English: If a third party doesn't intervene, this business negotiation might fail.
  • Analysis: This shows 介入 as a necessary and helpful act of mediation.
• Example 5:
  • 央行通过介入外汇市场来稳定汇率。
  • Pinyin: Yāngháng tōngguò jièrù wàihuì shìchǎng lái wěndìng huìlǜ.
  • English: The central bank stabilized the exchange rate by intervening in the foreign exchange market.
  • Analysis: A standard, neutral term used in economics and finance news.
• Example 6:
  • 老师介入了学生之间的争吵，并帮助他们解决了问题。
  • Pinyin: Lǎoshī jièrù le xuéshēng zhījiān de zhēngchǎo, bìng bāngzhù tāmen jiějuéle wèntí.
  • English: The teacher stepped in to the students' argument and helped them solve the problem.
  • Analysis: This shows that the person intervening has a clear role and responsibility (the teacher), making the intervention appropriate.
• Example 7:
  • 很多传统行业都因为新技术的介入而发生了改变。
  • Pinyin: Hěnduō chuántǒng hángyè dōu yīnwèi xīn jìshù de jièrù ér fāshēngle gǎibiàn.
  • English: Many traditional industries have changed due to the intervention of new technology.
  • Analysis: This is a more abstract use, where the “intervening” force is technology. It is neutral.
• Example 8:
  • 他们指责邻国对本国内政的军事介入。
  • Pinyin: Tāmen zhǐzé lín guó duì běn guó nèizhèng de jūnshì jièrù.
  • English: They condemned the neighboring country's military intervention in their internal affairs.
  • Analysis: In this context, 介入 is strongly negative because it's unwelcome and aggressive. The word itself is neutral; the modifiers (`军事`, `指责`) provide the negative flavor.
• Example 9:
  • 心理咨询师的介入对他的康复至关重要。
  • Pinyin: Xīnlǐ zīxún shī de jièrù duì tā de kāngfù zhì guān zhòngyào.
  • English: The therapist's intervention was crucial for his recovery.
  • Analysis: Similar to the medical example, this highlights a professional and necessary form of intervention.
• Example 10:
  • 法院最终介入，强制执行了判决。
  • Pinyin: Fǎyuàn zuìzhōng jièrù, qiángzhì zhíxíngle pànjué.
  • English: The court finally intervened and enforced the verdict.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates a formal, authoritative intervention by a legal body.

The biggest pitfall for learners is confusing 介入 (jièrù) with similar-sounding concepts.

• `介入 (jièrù)` vs. `干涉 (gānshè)` - Intervene vs. Meddle
  • 介入 (jièrù) is neutral/formal. It means to step into a situation to influence it, and is often done by a party with a legitimate reason (a doctor, a court, a mediator).
  • 干涉 (gānshè) is almost always negative. It means “to meddle” or “to interfere” where you are not wanted. It implies crossing a boundary and infringing on someone's autonomy.
  • Example: “Thanks for your concern, but please don't meddle in my personal life.” → 请不要干涉我的私生活. (Using 介入 here would sound overly formal and strange).
• `介入 (jièrù)` vs. `参与 (cānyù)` - Intervene vs. Participate
  • 介入 (jièrù) means entering a situation as an outside force.
  • 参与 (cānyù) means to take part in an activity as a member or participant.
  • Incorrect: ~~我想介入这个游戏。~~ (Wǒ xiǎng jièrù zhège yóuxì.) - “I want to intervene in this game.” (This sounds like you want to stop or change the game from the outside).
  • Correct: 我想参与这个游戏。 (Wǒ xiǎng cānyù zhège yóuxì.) - “I want to participate in/join this game.”

• 干涉 (gānshè) - A near-antonym in connotation. To “meddle” or “interfere”; almost always negative.
• 干预 (gānyù) - A close synonym, also meaning “to intervene.” It often implies a more active or forceful intervention and is very common in economic contexts (e.g., `政府干预市场` - government intervenes in the market).
• 插手 (chāshǒu) - An informal and negative word meaning “to stick one's hand in”; to get involved in something that is not your business. A colloquial version of `干涉`.
• 参与 (cānyù) - A related concept. To “participate” or “take part in” an event as a member, not an outside force.
• 调解 (tiáojiě) - A specific, positive type of 介入. It means “to mediate” a dispute between two or more parties.
• 第三方 (dìsānfāng) - A “third party.” This is often the entity that performs the 介入 or 调解.
• 不干涉主义 (bù gānshè zhǔyì) - The political “principle of non-interventionism,” a key concept in international relations.