Translation guide
A person who interferes in others' affairs without being asked. Japanese has several words for this, ranging from mild to strong, and often uses descriptive phrases instead of a single noun.
Describing someone who is overly curious and intrusive about other people's private matters.
A common, slightly old-fashioned term for a busybody or meddler. It implies unwanted helpfulness or interference.
彼は本当にお節介だ。
He's such a meddler.
Literally 'a person who sticks their neck in', meaning someone who butts into things.
彼女は何にでも首を突っ込む人だ。
She's someone who sticks her nose into everything.
A formal, somewhat stiff word for an interferer or meddler. More common in writing.
彼は私の人生における干渉者だ。
He's a meddler in my life.
Referring to a person who actively involves themselves in matters that don't concern them, often causing trouble.
Describes a person who butts in or pushes themselves forward where they're not wanted. Very natural in conversation.
あの出しゃばる人がまた来た。
That meddler came again.
A slightly more colloquial and emphatic version of お節介, implying someone who can't resist meddling.
うちの母はお節介焼きで、近所の人の世話を焼きたがる。
My mom is a meddler who loves taking care of the neighbors.
A formal adjective phrase meaning 'presumptuous person' or 'meddler'. Used when someone oversteps boundaries.
差し出がましい人だと思われるかもしれませんが、一言申し上げます。
I may seem like a meddler, but let me say one thing.
For someone who interferes with malicious intent or causes real problems.
Literally 'a person who obstructs', often used for someone who meddles in a way that hinders or annoys.
彼はいつも私の計画の邪魔をする人だ。
He's always a meddler in my plans.
A stronger word for an obstructer or saboteur, implying deliberate interference.
彼はプロジェクトの妨害者と見なされた。
He was seen as a meddler in the project.
There is no single perfect Japanese noun for 'meddler'. Using descriptive phrases like 首を突っ込む人 or 出しゃばる人 is often more natural than a direct noun. The word 干渉者 exists but sounds stiff and is rarely used in casual speech.
In Japanese, it's often more natural to describe the action of meddling rather than labeling someone a meddler. For example, 'He meddles too much' is 彼は干渉しすぎる (かれはかんしょうしすぎる) or 彼はお節介がすぎる (かれはおせっかいがすぎる).