干涉 (gān shè) is a verb meaning 'to interfere' or 'to meddle' — typically in a way that is unwelcome, unnecessary, or inappropriate. The first character 干 (gān) means 'to do' or 'to handle', while 涉 (shè) originally meant 'to wade across water' and now extends to 'to get involved in something'. Together, they evoke the image of stepping into another’s affairs without invitation, often disrupting natural or personal boundaries.

This word carries a distinctly negative connotation and is commonly used in contexts involving personal relationships, politics, education, or international affairs — for example, when one country intervenes in another’s internal matters, or when a parent oversteps by controlling an adult child’s decisions. It is more formal and stronger than casual terms like 插手 (chā shǒu), and rarely appears in positive or neutral settings.