Understanding "干预" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 干预
• Pinyin: gān yù
• Literal Meaning: “to involve oneself” + “to take part / beforehand” — together, stepping into a situation that is already underway
• Primary Meaning: to intervene; to interfere; intervention (neutral in medicine and policy, often negative when it means unwanted meddling)

2. In-depth Explanation

• Context and Usage: 干预 is a formal word for stepping into a process in order to change its course. It is common in news, policy, medicine, psychology, and education. Tone depends on context: a doctor’s early 干预 is usually positive (“timely intervention”), while a government’s or parent’s 干预 can sound controlling if it is described as excessive (过度干预). You will often see it with objects such as 市场 (the market), 内政 (internal affairs), 选择 (choices), or 治疗 (treatment). It is more formal than everyday verbs like 管 (“to manage/control”) or 插手 (“to stick one’s hand in”). The noun form is the same word: 干预 can mean “intervention” as well as the verb “to intervene.”
• Character Breakdown: 干 (gān) here means to concern oneself with or to interfere (not the “dry” reading gān of the same character in other words, and not gàn “to do” in casual speech). 预 (yù) usually means “in advance” (as in 预习 “preview” or 预测 “predict”); in this compound it contributes the idea of taking part in something, so the whole word means actively entering a situation rather than merely watching it.

3. Example Sentences

• Chinese: 许多经济学家反对政府过度干预市场价格。
• Pinyin: Xǔduō jīngjì xuéjiā fǎnduì zhèngfǔ guòdù gānyù shìchǎng jiàgé.

• English: Many economists oppose excessive government intervention in market prices.

• Chinese: 医生及早干预，病人的情况很快稳定下来了。

• Pinyin: Yīshēng jízǎo gānyù, bìngrén de qíngkuàng hěn kuài wěndìng xiàlái le.

• English: The doctor intervened early, and the patient’s condition soon stabilized.

• Chinese: 父母应该引导孩子，而不是事事干预。

• Pinyin: Fùmǔ yīnggāi yǐndǎo háizi, ér búshì shìshì gānyù.
• English: Parents should guide their children rather than interfere in everything.

Cultural Notes (if applicable)

In Chinese diplomacy and official language, 不干涉 / 不干预内政 (“non-interference in internal affairs”) is a frequently stated principle: outside powers should not meddle in another country’s domestic matters. In everyday and professional life, the same word appears in positive set phrases such as 早期干预 (“early intervention”) in child development, mental health, and medicine. Learners should notice the modifier: 及时干预 or 早期干预 usually praises action; 过度干预 or 粗暴干预 criticizes it.

Conclusion

Remember 干预 (gān yù) as “to step in and change the course of events.” Use it in formal contexts—policy, medicine, education—and let the surrounding words show whether that intervention is helpful or unwelcome.

Sources and Further Reading

• MDBG Chinese Dictionary: 干预
• Wiktionary: 干预
• 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.