ليس من شأنك
laysa min sha'nik
The Arabic phrase for "none of your business" is ليس من شأنك (laysa min sha'nik).
This phrase is used to tell someone that they should not be interested in or ask about a private matter.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase ليس من شأنك is composed of laysa (is not), min (from/of) and sha'nik (your concern/affair).
How does it change in a sentence?
To address a group of people instead of an individual, add the suffix -kum to the end of the word to say ليس من شأنكم.
How do you pronounce it?
laysa min sha'nik
Did you know?
- The word laysa might be a very ancient loanword from Neo-Assyrian laššu or Taymanitic lāʾis, both of which mean 'not existing' or 'there is not'.
- While ليس من شأنك is the standard form, in some dialects, people use a shorter, sharper version by omitting laysa and simply saying مش شغلك, meaning 'not your work'.
- The root of sha'n (affair/concern) is shared with words describing a 'status' or 'rank', implying that what is 'your business' is tied to your social standing.
Examples in context
- هذا الأمر ليس من شأنك.hadha al-amr laysa min sha'nik.This matter is none of your business.
- لماذا تسألين؟ ليس من شأنك!limadha tas'alin? laysa min sha'nik!Why are you asking? It's none of your business!
- سألتني عن راتبي، لكن ليس من شأنك.sa'altani 'an ratibi, lakin laysa min sha'nik.You asked me about my salary, but it's none of your business.
Example conversation
Ahmed is looking at Leila's phone and asking about a message.
- أحمد Ahmedمن أرسل لكِ هذه الرسالة؟Man arsala laki hadhihi al-risala?Who sent you this message?
- ليلى Laylaهذا ليس من شأنك يا أحمد.Hadha laysa min sha'nik ya Ahmed.This is none of your business, Ahmed.
- أحمد Ahmedأنا فقط كنت فضولياً.Ana faqat kuntu fuduliyan.I was just curious.
- ليلى Laylaلا يهم، توقف عن التدخل.La yahum, tawaqqaf 'an al-tadakhul.It doesn't matter, stop interfering.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ليس, من, CC BY-SA 4.0.
