余計なお世話
yokei na osewa
In Japanese, "none of your business" is expressed as 余計なお世話 (yokei na osewa).
The phrase 余計なお世話 is used to rebuff unsolicited advice or interference. It implies that the person's help is unwanted and intrusive.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 余計 (yokei) meaning "unnecessary" or "extra" and お世話 (osewa) meaning "help" or "care".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Adding です to the end of 余計なお世話です makes the phrase more polite, though the sentiment remains blunt and dismissive.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the copula だ to the end of the phrase, as in 余計なお世話だ, makes it a complete, assertive sentence. You can also use the informal phrase お前には関係ない (Omae niwa kankei nai) to mean "It's none of your business," or the slightly softer 別にお前には関係ないんだけど (Betsu ni omae ni wa kankei nai n da kedo) to mean "It's not really your concern, but…"
How do you pronounce it?
yokei na osewa
Did you know?
- While お世話 (osewa) is the root of this phrase, it is most commonly used in the polite greeting お世話になります to thank someone for their ongoing support and care.
- Using the pronoun お前 (omae) in お前には関係ない (omae ni wa kankei nai) is highly confrontational and can be perceived as an attempt to establish dominance over the listener.
- Adding the polite です (desu) to 余計なお世話 (yokei na osewa) creates a 'polite coldness' that can feel more distancing and cutting than the informal version.
Examples in context
- 余計なお世話だ。It's none of your business.Tatoeba #2223703 by bunbuku, translation #16994 by CK
- それは余計なお世話です。sore wa yokei na osewa desu.That is none of your business.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two acquaintances are arguing about a personal lifestyle choice.
- 大翔 Hirotoもっと健康的な生活を送りなよ。motto kenkouteki na seikatsu o okuri na yo.You should lead a healthier life.
- 美咲 Misaki余計なお世話だよ、大翔。yokei na osewa da yo, hiroto.It's none of your business, Hiroto.
- 大翔 Hirotoそんなに怒らなくてもいいじゃないか。sonna ni okoranakutemo ii janai ka.There's no need to get so angry.
- 美咲 Misaki放っておいてよ。houtte oite yo.Just leave me alone.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
