Translation guide
The English verb 'meddle' means to interfere in something that is not your concern, often in an unwelcome or annoying way. In Japanese, there is no single direct equivalent; instead, various expressions convey interference, depending on the nuance: unwanted involvement, sticking one's nose into others' affairs, or tampering with things. This guide covers the most natural ways to express these ideas.
To get involved in someone else's business or personal matters without being asked, often causing annoyance.
Literally 'to thrust one's neck into', this is a very common and natural way to say 'meddle' or 'stick one's nose into'. It implies unwanted involvement in someone else's affairs.
彼はいつも人の問題に首を突っ込む。
He's always meddling in other people's problems.
余計なことに首を突っ込まないで。
Don't meddle in things that don't concern you.
A more formal term meaning 'to interfere' or 'to meddle'. It can be used in both personal and official contexts, but it's less colloquial than 首を突っ込む.
親が子供の人生に干渉しすぎる。
Parents meddle too much in their children's lives.
他人の私事に干渉するべきではない。
You shouldn't meddle in other people's private affairs.
Literally 'to burn meddlesomeness', this means to offer unsolicited help or advice, often with a nuance of being a busybody. It's slightly softer than 'meddle' and can sometimes be well-intentioned.
彼女はいつもお節介を焼いて、私の恋愛に口を出す。
She's always meddling and giving me unsolicited advice about my love life.
Literally 'to put out one's mouth', meaning to butt in or give unwanted opinions. It's often used when someone offers unsolicited advice or criticism.
あの人は何にでも口を出す。
That person meddles in everything.
This means to meddle or tamper with something, often in a playful or mischievous way, but can also imply unwanted interference. It's more casual and can be used for physical meddling as well.
彼は私の仕事にちょっかいを出してきた。
He meddled with my work.
To touch or change something that belongs to someone else, often in a way that is unwanted or damaging.
A versatile verb meaning 'to touch', 'to fiddle with', or 'to tamper with'. It can be used for physical objects or abstract things like settings or plans, and often carries a negative connotation of meddling.
誰かが私のパソコンをいじったみたいだ。
It looks like someone meddled with my computer.
設定を勝手にいじらないで。
Don't meddle with the settings without asking.
Simply means 'to touch', but in context can imply meddling, especially when used with a negative command. It's less specific than いじる but very common.
Literally 'to put out one's hand', it can mean to meddle or tamper with something, often with a nuance of trying to get involved in something one shouldn't. It can also mean to start a fight or make a pass at someone, so context is important.
To interfere in the political matters of another country or organization, often used in news or formal contexts.
A formal term meaning 'to intervene' or 'to meddle', often used in political, military, or diplomatic contexts. It implies a more serious level of interference.
大国が小国の内政に介入する。
Large countries meddle in the internal affairs of small countries.
As above, but also commonly used in political contexts for 'interference'.
外国の選挙に干渉する。
Meddle in a foreign country's election.
There is no single Japanese verb that directly translates 'meddle' in all contexts. Using a dictionary form like 干渉する in casual speech can sound stiff. Choose the expression that matches the nuance: 首を突っ込む for personal meddling, いじる for tampering, and 介入する for formal intervention.
首を突っ込む is colloquial and vivid, implying sticking one's nose where it doesn't belong. 干渉する is more neutral and can be used in serious or formal contexts. In everyday conversation, 首を突っ込む is more natural for 'meddling'.
彼はいつも首を突っ込む。
He's always meddling (colloquial).
彼はいつも干渉する。
He always interferes (more formal).
私の人生に首を突っ込むな！
Stop meddling in my life!
彼女は書類をいじった。
She meddled with the documents.
自分に関係ないことに首を突っ込むな。
Don't meddle in things that don't concern you.
Don't meddle with my things.
He meddled with the company's money (embezzled).