не твоё дело
ne tvoyo delo
The Russian phrase for "none of your business" is не твоё дело (ne tvoyo delo).
не твоё дело is used to tell someone that they have no right to be concerned with or ask about a particular matter. It is most commonly used as a direct response to an intrusive question.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of не (not), твоё (your – neuter singular) and дело (business/affair/matter).
How does it change in a sentence?
To use this phrase politely or when addressing a group, change твоё to ваше to form не ваше дело.
How do you pronounce it?
ne tvoyo delo
Did you know?
- The word дело is a distant relative of the English words 'deed' and 'doom', all stemming from the same ancient root of 'doing' or 'setting' something.
- In Russian, the word дело can also mean 'a case' in a legal sense, such as a criminal case, making the phrase quite heavy depending on the context.
- In highly informal or aggressive Russian slang, the phrase is often shortened or combined with stronger words to signal an immediate end to a conversation.
Examples in context
- Это не твоё дело.It's none of your business.This sentence is useful for seeing the phrase used in a simple statement.Tatoeba #652774 by shanghainese, translation #16994 by CK
- Это вообще не твоё дело.It is none of your business.This sentence shows how to add emphasis to the phrase.Tatoeba #3861373 by marafon, translation #42807 by CC
- Где я вчера был не твоё дело.Where I was yesterday is none of your business.This sentence shows how the phrase can be used to conclude a clause about a private matter.Tatoeba #11933067 by marafon, translation #11933063 by CK
- Извините, но это не ва́ше де́ло.I'm sorry, but that's none of your business.
- Извините, но это личное дело.I'm sorry, but that's a personal matter.
- Не твое дело.None of your business.
- 14 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A tense conversation between two coworkers in an office.
- Александр AleksandrС кем ты вчера была?S kem ty vchera byla?Who were you with yesterday?
- Ольга OlgaЭто не твоё дело, Александр.Eto ne tvoyo delo, Aleksandr.It is none of your business, Alexander.
- Александр AleksandrЯ просто хотел помочь.Ya prosto khotel pomoch'.I just wanted to help.
- Ольга OlgaМне не нужна твоя помощь.Mne ne nuzhna tvoya pomosh'.I don't need your help.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries дело, не, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
