Translation guide
Refers to private matters, personal affairs, or errands that are not related to work or public life. In Japanese, the expression varies depending on whether you mean 'private matter,' 'personal errand,' or 'something you don't want to discuss.'
Something personal, not for public discussion; often used when declining to give details.
A somewhat formal noun meaning 'personal matter' or 'private affair.' Often used in the phrase 私事ですが (shiji desu ga) to preface a personal announcement.
私事ですが、来月結婚します。
This is a personal matter, but I'm getting married next month.
A common, neutral way to say 'personal matter' or 'something personal.' Suitable for everyday conversation.
That's a personal matter, so I don't want to talk about it.
Using the loanword 'private,' this is a casual way to refer to personal matters, often implying a boundary between work and private life.
Please refrain from talking about personal matters during work.
A more formal term for 'personal business' or 'private errand,' often used in official contexts like requesting time off.
I will take the afternoon off for personal business.
A chore or task one needs to do for oneself, often used as a reason for absence or leaving early.
The most common word for 'errand' or 'business.' Adding 私的な (shiteki na) or 個人的な (kojinteki na) makes it explicitly personal, but 用事 alone often implies personal business in context.
I have a personal errand to run, so I'll be leaving now.
A concise noun meaning 'personal use' or 'private business.' Often used in work settings to distinguish from company business.
Literally 'one's own errand,' this emphasizes that the business is personal, not for someone else.
I'm taking the day off for personal business.
Telling someone that something is private and they should not interfere.
A set phrase meaning 'none of your business' or 'unwanted help.' It's a bit strong but very common.
Can sound rude; use only with close friends or in informal situations.
Mind your own business.
Similar to 余計なお世話, meaning 'big unwanted help.' Slightly more emphatic.
That's none of your business.
Literally 'it's not related,' used to say 'it's none of your concern.' Can be blunt.
Means 'leave me alone' or 'stay out of it.' Used when someone is prying.
Just leave me alone. (Mind your own business.)
The English phrase 'personal business' does not have a single direct equivalent in Japanese. Translating it word-for-word as 個人ビジネス (kojin bijinesu) would be unnatural and mean 'individual business' in a commercial sense.
用事 is the most versatile word for 'errand' or 'business.' In many contexts, simply saying 用事がある (youji ga aru) is enough to convey you have personal business, without needing to specify it's personal.
You must not use the company phone for personal business.
It's none of your business, right?