no te metas
/no te metas/from spelling rules
The English phrase "nunya" can be translated into Spanish as no te metas.
The phrase is used to tell someone to stay out of a situation or a conversation that does not concern them. While no te metas is a blunt way to say "mind your own business," you can also use the informal expression No te incumbe to convey that something is not the other person's business or concern. In a colloquial setting, you might hear people referred to as tío, which is similar to saying "dude" or "bro" in English.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
no te metas is an informal and blunt way to tell someone to mind their own business. For a more formal context, you should use the version no se meta.
How does it change in a sentence?
To use this phrase in a formal context, change no te metas to no se meta.
How do you pronounce it?
/no te metas/
Did you know?
- The word metas comes from a root that also gives us the English word 'meter', as both relate to the concept of boundaries or measuring limits.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, telling someone no te metas is much more aggressive and confrontational than the English 'mind your business'.
- While 'nunya' is a play on words in English, the Spanish no te metas is a literal command meaning 'do not insert yourself'.
Examples in context
- Tus preguntas personales son inapropiadas. Mi vida privada no es de tu incumbencia.Your personal questions are inappropriate. My private life is none of your business.
- Si no es tu asunto, no te metas.If it is not your business, don't get involved.
- Te dije que no te metas.I told you not to meddle.
Example conversation
Elena is asking Daniel too many personal questions about his salary.
- DanielElena, ¿cuánto dinero ganas al mes?Elena, how much money do you earn per month?
- ElenaEs un secreto, no te metas.It is a secret, none of your business.
- DanielSolo tenía curiosidad, no te enfades.I was just curious, don't get angry.
- ElenaSolo no te metas en mis asuntos.Just don't meddle in my affairs.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
