Translation guide
The English word "meddling" refers to unwanted interference in others' affairs. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through various words and phrases that convey interference, meddling, or being nosy, with nuances ranging from mild annoyance to strong condemnation.
To describe the act of interfering in someone else's business without being asked, often with a negative connotation.
A general term for interference or meddling, often used in formal contexts or when talking about unwanted involvement in personal matters.
彼はいつも私のことに干渉してくる。
He's always meddling in my affairs.
親の過度な干渉は子供の自立を妨げる。
Excessive parental meddling hinders a child's independence.
Refers to meddling or being nosy, often with a nuance of unwanted kindness or unnecessary help. Commonly used in everyday conversation.
お節介かもしれないけど、ちょっと手伝わせて。
I might be meddling, but let me help a bit.
彼女のお節介には本当に困っている。
I'm really troubled by her meddling.
Literally 'to stick one's neck into', meaning to meddle or poke one's nose into something. Informal and vivid.
人の問題に首を突っ込むな。
Don't meddle in other people's problems.
Intervention or meddling, often used in more serious or formal contexts, such as political or military interference.
内政への介入は許されない。
Meddling in internal affairs is not permitted.
An adjective meaning meddlesome or presumptuous, implying that someone is overstepping their bounds. Often used to describe one's own actions humbly.
差し出がましいようですが、一言申し上げます。
I don't mean to meddle, but let me say one thing.
To describe the act of being overly curious about someone else's private matters.
Prying or inquiring into someone's affairs, often with a negative connotation of being nosy.
彼は私の過去を詮索した。
He pried into my past.
そんなに詮索しないでください。
Please don't pry so much.
To ask persistently and in detail, like 'to pump someone for information'. Implies nosy meddling.
彼女は私の恋愛について根掘り葉掘り聞いた。
She asked me all sorts of nosy questions about my love life.
Peeping or snooping, literally 'looking in'. Can refer to meddling by spying on someone's private life.
To describe the act of meddling with objects, systems, or processes, often causing harm or unwanted changes.
To fiddle with, tamper with, or meddle with something. Can be used for physical objects or abstract things like settings.
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 permission.
Same as いじる but using the kanji. Often implies tampering or meddling in a slightly more formal written context.
To add one's hand, meaning to modify or tamper with something. Can be neutral or negative depending on context.
彼は書類に手を加えた。
He meddled with the documents.
Direct translations like 'meddling suru' do not exist. Use the appropriate Japanese word or phrase based on context. For example, 'meddling in my life' is '私の人生に干渉する', not 'メドリングする'.
干渉 is more formal and often used for serious interference, while お節介 is casual and implies unwanted kindness. Use 干渉 for official or serious matters, and お節介 for everyday nosiness.
Stop snooping on your neighbor's life.
Meddling with the machine is dangerous.