Which one should you use?
Depending on the situation, you may choose different ways to express this. In informal settings, you can use the colloquial phrase No te metas donde no te llaman (Don't get involved where you aren't called) or the more descriptive no te metas en lo que no te importa (don't get into what doesn't concern you). For a formal approach, No se entrometa is a way to say 'Don't meddle', while No se meta en lo que no le importa means 'Don't interfere in what doesn't concern you'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The level of formality changes which version you should use. In professional or formal environments, No se entrometa is a common way to tell someone not to meddle or intrude. Conversely, No te metas donde no te llaman and No te metas en lo que no te importa are used in informal or colloquial settings.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico and some other Latin American countries, the expression No se inmiscuya is commonly used to mean 'Do not interfere' or 'Do not meddle'.
Did you know?
- While métete is a command to 'get into' your own business, the opposite action of interfering is often described as meter las narices or 'putting in one's noses'.
- The verb meter in the phrase métete en tus asuntos literally means 'to put' or 'to place', making the phrase sound like you are physically inserting yourself into a matter.
- In some Latin American regions, the phrase No se inmiscuya is so formal that using it in a heated argument can sound ironically cold or condescending rather than just polite.
Examples in context
- No te metas donde no te llamanHey, I suggest you stop getting involved in matters that don't concern you. You should mind your own business.
- No te metas en lo que no te importaWhy don't you just focus on your own life and stop sticking your nose where it doesn't belong? Mind your own business, please.
- No se inmiscuyaExcuse me, I would appreciate it if you stopped interfering in matters that do not concern you. Please mind your own business.
Example conversation
Alejandro asks Sofia about a private argument she had.
- Sofía¿Por qué estabas peleando con tu jefe?Why were you fighting with your boss?
- AlejandroNo es asunto tuyo, métete en tus asuntos.It is none of your business, mind your own business.
- SofíaSolo quería ayudarte, Sofía.I just wanted to help you, Sofia.
- AlejandroPues no necesito tu ayuda ahora.Well, I don't need your help right now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
