穿插

chuānchā
verb #32,626

Meanings

  1. 1 to insert / interweave (between other elements)
  2. 2 to alternate; to take turns
  3. 3 (narrative) to weave a subplot through
  4. 4 (military) to thrust deep into enemy lines

Examples

HSK 4
Yǎnjiǎng zhōng chuānchā le jǐ gè yǒuqù de gùshi.
Several interesting stories were woven into the speech.
HSK 5
Diànyǐng zhōng chuānchā le dàliàng de huíyì jìngtóu.
The film interweaves many flashback scenes.

Tips

usage
穿插 covers a wide range: weaving subplots into a story, interspersing jokes in a lecture, taking turns at a task, or, in military reporting, driving troops deep through gaps in enemy formations. The common thread is "thread through other things."
memory
穿 (to pierce/thread through) + (to insert), both halves push the same image: pushing one thing through or into another.

Stroke Order

穿 chuān
chā