Translation guide
A person who interferes or meddles in others' affairs without being asked. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through nouns describing nosy people, verbs for meddling, and set phrases. The most natural equivalent depends on context and level of formality.
Referring to someone who habitually interferes in others' business
A common, slightly informal noun for a meddlesome person or unsolicited help. Can be used as 'お節介な人' (a meddlesome person) or simply 'お節介' to describe someone's nature.
彼は本当にお節介だ。
He's such a buttinsky.
お節介な隣人に困っている。
I'm bothered by my nosy neighbor.
A more formal term for an interferer or meddler. Often used in written contexts or when describing someone who intrudes into personal matters.
彼は私のプライバシーに対する干渉者だ。
He's a buttinsky when it comes to my privacy.
A colloquial noun for someone who butts in or is pushy. Carries a negative nuance of being forward or presumptuous.
あの出しゃばりがまた口を出してきた。
That buttinsky stuck his nose in again.
A more emphatic, colloquial term for a busybody or meddler. Literally 'someone who burns with meddlesomeness'.
うちの母はおせっかい焼きで、何でも口を出す。
My mom is a real buttinsky; she has to comment on everything.
Describing the action of butting in
The standard verb for interfering or meddling. Neutral to formal. Used in various contexts from personal relationships to politics.
私の人生に干渉しないで。
Don't butt into my life.
他人のことに干渉するのはやめなさい。
Stop meddling in other people's affairs.
A very common, slightly informal phrase meaning 'to stick one's nose in' or 'to butt in'. Literally 'to put out one's mouth'.
A set phrase meaning 'to meddle' or 'to offer unsolicited help'. Often used when someone is being overly helpful in an annoying way.
彼女はいつもお節介を焼く。
She's always butting in with unwanted advice.
A colloquial verb meaning 'to butt in' or 'to be pushy'. Implies forwardness and lack of restraint.
A more colorful term for a meddler, often used in light criticism
Describes someone who loves to pry or inquire into others' affairs. Often used as '詮索好きな人'.
彼女は詮索好きで、何でも知りたがる。
She's a real busybody, always wanting to know everything.
Literally 'peeping demon', used for someone who snoops or pries, but can be extended metaphorically to a buttinsky. Strongly negative.
あの覗き魔みたいな奴は本当に嫌だ。
That buttinsky is really annoying.
お節介 often implies well-meaning but unwanted help, while 干渉 is more about intrusive interference, often with a negative connotation. お節介 can be used in a lighter, teasing way, whereas 干渉 is more serious.
お節介かもしれないけど、気をつけてね。
I might be butting in, but be careful.
内政干渉は許されない。
Interference in internal affairs is unacceptable.
There is no direct Japanese word for 'buttinsky'. Using a literal translation like 'お尻に入る人' would be nonsensical. Instead, use the nouns and verbs provided that capture the concept of meddling.
彼はいつも人の会話に口を出す。
He always butts into people's conversations.
口を出さないでくれる？
Would you mind not butting in?
A vivid, colloquial phrase meaning 'to poke one's nose into'. Stronger than 口を出す, implying unwanted intrusion.
彼は何にでも首を突っ込む。
He butts into everything.
会議で出しゃばるのはやめて。
Stop butting in during the meeting.