Understanding "干扰" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 干扰
• Pinyin: gān rǎo
• Literal Meaning: “interfere” + “disturb”
• Primary Meaning: to interfere with, to disturb, or to disrupt; also “interference” or “disturbance” as a noun

2. In-depth Explanation

• Context and Usage: 干扰 is a common verb and noun used when something unwanted gets in the way of an activity, a signal, a process, or someone’s concentration. It covers both physical disruption (noise, bad weather, radio static) and social or mental disruption (someone interrupting your work, outside pressure affecting a decision). The tone is generally negative: the interference is unwelcome. It appears in everyday speech, news, technology, and formal writing. As a verb it often takes an object (干扰某人 / 干扰某事); as a noun it often follows verbs like 受到 (to suffer) or 排除 (to eliminate). It is stronger and more “obstructive” than a mild interruption, but less personal and emotional than words that specifically mean “annoy” or “harass.”
• Character Breakdown:
• 干 (gān): here means “to interfere” or “to concern oneself with” (not the unrelated meaning “dry”).
• 扰 (rǎo): means “to disturb,” “to trouble,” or “to throw into disorder.”
• Together they reinforce the idea of actively disrupting something that was proceeding normally.

3. Example Sentences

• Chinese: 请不要干扰我工作。
• Pinyin: Qǐng bú yào gān rǎo wǒ gōng zuò.

• English: Please don’t disturb me while I’m working.

• Chinese: 手机信号受到了干扰。

• Pinyin: Shǒu jī xìn hào shòu dào le gān rǎo.

• English: The cell-phone signal was interfered with.

• Chinese: 外面的噪音干扰了我们的睡眠。

• Pinyin: Wài miàn de zào yīn gān rǎo le wǒ men de shuì mián.
• English: The noise outside disrupted our sleep.

Cultural Notes (if applicable)

In modern Chinese, 干扰 is frequently used in technology and public life: radio and Wi-Fi “interference,” construction noise disturbing residents, or outside factors “interfering with” an investigation or a fair competition. Public notices and news reports often use it in a neutral, official tone (for example, asking people not to 干扰 order or normal operations). It does not by itself imply illegal harassment; for that, Chinese usually uses stronger or more specific legal terms.

Conclusion

Remember 干扰 (gān rǎo) as “interfere + disturb”: something unwanted gets in the way of work, signals, sleep, or a process. Use it as a verb (“don’t disturb…”) or a noun (“suffer interference”), and keep in mind that it stresses disruption more than personal annoyance.

Sources and Further Reading

• MDBG Chinese Dictionary: 干扰
• Wiktionary: 干扰
• HSK vocabulary reference dataset

Dictionary links are provided for independent reference. Example sentences and learning notes on this page are educational explanations rather than dictionary quotations.