intrude
gb/ɪntɹˈud/ us/ɪntɹˈud/
B2
English
betolakodik, behatol, beleavatkozik, közbeszól, benyomul
VERB
B2
1
betolakodik
B2
behatol
B2
Usage pattern:
intrude (into/on) [place/property]
A reporter tried to intrude into the family’s home.
Egy riporter megpróbált betolakodni a család otthonába.
Security stopped people who attempted to intrude on the site.
A biztonságiak megállították azokat, akik megpróbáltak behatolni a területre.
Don’t intrude into areas marked ‘staff only.’
Learner examples
He intruded into the house.
Betolakodott a házba.
Please don’t intrude on private property.
Kérlek, ne hatolj be magánterületre.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse intrude with introduce; intrude means enter or interfere without permission.
Meaning
enter without permission
Collocations
intrude into a room
|intrude on private property
|intrude on someone’s land
|intrude into someone’s home
|intrude through an open door
|intrude without permission
|intrude uninvited
|intrude at night
|intrude on a restricted area
|intrude where you’re not welcome
Synonyms
trespass (More legal and specifically about entering land or property.)
|
barge in (More informal and often suggests sudden, rude entry.)
Antonyms
stay out (Emphasizes not entering a place.)
|
keep off (Common on signs; focuses on avoiding restricted areas.)
Themes
law
|daily_life
|crime
|social_relations
Definition
to enter a place when you should not
To go into a place or onto property where you are not wanted or allowed.
VERB
B2
2
közbeszól
B1
Usage pattern:
intrude (on) [someone]/[conversation]/[activity]
I didn’t mean to intrude, but I heard my name.
Nem akartam közbeszólni, de meghallottam a nevemet.
He intruded on their conversation and changed the subject.
Beleavatkozott a beszélgetésükbe, és témát váltott.
Please don’t intrude in matters that don’t concern you.
Learner examples
Sorry to intrude.
Bocsánat, hogy zavarok.
She intruded on our talk.
Beleavatkozott a beszélgetésünkbe.
Common mistake:
Intrude is stronger than interrupt: it suggests you are not welcome, not just that you spoke at the wrong time.
Meaning
interfere or join uninvited
Collocations
intrude on a conversation
|intrude on a meeting
|intrude on their discussion
|intrude on someone’s grief
|intrude on a private moment
|intrude with questions
|intrude in someone else’s affairs
|intrude where you don’t belong
|intrude inappropriately
|intrude without meaning to
Synonyms
butt in (Informal; emphasizes rudeness in joining a conversation.)
|
interfere (Focuses on getting involved and possibly causing problems.)
Antonyms
refrain (Means choosing not to act or speak.)
|
keep out of it (Common phrase meaning not to get involved.)
Themes
social_relations
|communication
|emotions
|work
Definition
to interrupt or get involved when you are not invited
To become involved in a conversation, activity, or situation when your involvement is not wanted.
VERB
C1
3
betolakodik
B2
Usage pattern:
[thought/memory] intrudes (on) [someone]
During the exam, a painful memory kept intruding.
A vizsga alatt egy fájdalmas emlék folyton betolakodott.
Just as she relaxed, worries intruded again.
Ahogy végre ellazult, az aggodalmak megint betolakodtak.
Unwanted thoughts can intrude when you’re tired.
Learner examples
Bad memories intruded.
Rossz emlékek tolultak be a fejébe.
A strange thought intruded into my mind.
Egy furcsa gondolat betolakodott a fejembe.
Common mistake:
Often used with thoughts or memories; it does not mean ‘introduce an idea’ in a neutral way.
Meaning
come into the mind unwanted
Collocations
a thought intrudes
|memories intrude
|worries intrude
|intrude on my thoughts
|intrude into my mind
|intrude at night
|intrude during work
|intrude again and again
|intrude unexpectedly
|intrude whenever I try to sleep
Synonyms
pop into your head (More informal and less negative.)
|
haunt (Stronger; suggests repeated, disturbing return.)
Antonyms
fade (Describes a thought becoming weaker or disappearing.)
|
leave (someone’s mind) (Means it stops being thought about.)
Themes
mind
|emotions
|health
Definition
(of a thought) to come into your mind when you don’t want it
To appear in your mind suddenly and unwanted, especially of a thought, memory, or worry.
VERB
C1
4
Usage pattern:
[thing] intrudes into/on [area/space]
Tree roots can intrude into drains and cause blockages.
A fák gyökerei behatolhatnak a lefolyókba, és dugulást okozhatnak.
Bright streetlights intruded into the bedroom all night.
Az erős utcai fény egész éjjel beszűrődött a hálószobába.
The new extension intrudes on the garden space.
Learner examples
Noise intruded on my sleep.
A zaj megzavarta az alvásomat.
Roots intruded into the pipe.
A gyökerek behatoltak a csőbe.
Common mistake:
In this sense, the subject is often a thing (noise, light, roots), not a person.
Meaning
extend into space unwantedly
Collocations
roots intrude into pipes
|water intrudes into a basement
|noise intrudes on sleep
|light intrudes through curtains
|development intrudes on farmland
|a building intrudes on the skyline
|smoke intrudes into the house
|privacy is intruded upon
|the outside world intrudes
|technology intrudes into daily life
Synonyms
encroach (Often about gradual expansion into another area.)
|
penetrate (Emphasizes going through or into something.)
Antonyms
recede (Means moving back or becoming less present.)
|
withdraw (Means pulling back from an area or situation.)
Themes
home
|environment
|construction
Definition
to go into a space and cause a problem
To spread or extend into an area where something does not belong or is not wanted.
Grammar
Dictionary form
intrude
IPA
GB/ɪntɹˈud/
US/ɪntɹˈud/
Syllables & stress
in - trude (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (trude)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: intrude
- 3rd Person Singular: intrudes
- Present Participle: intruding
- Past: intruded
Word family
Expressions
intrude into
1/ɪntɹˈud ˈɪntu/
phrasal verb
enter or involve yourself uninvited
to enter a place or situation when you are not welcome
Examples
- I didn’t want to intrude into their argument.
- The press tried to intrude into the private ceremony.
- Work emails kept intruding into my weekend.
Learner examples
- He intruded into our meeting.
- Work intruded into my weekend.
intrude on/upon
1/ɪntɹˈud ənəpən/
phrasal verb
disturb or interfere with
to disturb or affect something in an unwanted way
Examples
- I’m sorry to intrude on your time, but could I ask a quick question?
- The article intruded on her privacy by naming her children.
- New rules may intrude upon basic rights.
Learner examples
- Sorry to intrude on your time.
- They intruded on our privacy.
intrude oneself
1/ɪntɹˈud wˌʌnsˈɛlf/
fixed phrase
force your presence on others
to join or appear when you are not invited
Examples
- He was careful not to intrude himself into their plans.
- I don’t want to intrude myself on your family dinner.
- She intruded herself into the discussion and took over.
Learner examples
- I don’t want to intrude myself.
- He intruded himself into the conversation.