Verb (5-dan, む, transitive)
1. to hold between (e.g. one's fingers, chopsticks); to grip (from both sides)
指の間に挟んでその固さを確かめる。I hold it between my fingers to check how hard it is.
2. to put between; to sandwich between; to insert; to interpose
手帳の間に挟んでおいた写真が、落ちてしまった。The photo I had tucked between the pages of my planner fell out.
3. to catch (e.g. a finger in a door); to trap; to pinch
ドアに指を挟んでしまった。I caught my finger in the door.
4. to insert (e.g. a break into proceedings); to interpose (e.g. an objection); to interject; to throw in (e.g. a joke)
わずかな沈黙を挟んでから、彼は口にする。After a brief silence, he speaks.
5. to be on either side of (a road, table, etc.); to have between each other; to be across (a street, river, etc.)
街道を挟み、建物は並んでいる。Buildings line up on either side of the street.
6. to harbour (feelings); to cast (e.g. doubt)
感情を挟まない、淡々とした口調を意識する。I make a point of speaking in a flat, matter-of-fact tone that lets no emotion in.