Translation guide
The English verb 'pry' has two main meanings: to inquire intrusively into someone's private affairs, and to force something open or apart using leverage. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for both senses.
Expressing the act of asking about someone's private matters in a nosy or intrusive way.
Expressing the physical action of using a lever or tool to open something that is stuck or locked.
In Japanese, the physical act of prying open (こじ開ける) and the metaphorical act of prying into affairs (首を突っ込む) use completely different expressions. Be careful not to mix them up.
He pried open my diary and read it.
Literally 'to stick one's neck into', this is a common and natural way to say 'to pry' or 'to meddle' in someone's affairs.
Don't pry into other people's problems.
A more formal verb meaning 'to pry' or 'to inquire closely', often used when someone is asking too many detailed questions.
He pried into my past.
An idiomatic phrase meaning 'to ask persistently and in detail', similar to 'to pry' or 'to grill someone'.
She pried into my love life, asking all sorts of questions.
Literally 'to ask something that steps into (private territory)', this is a polite way to describe prying questions.
Sorry for prying (asking personal questions).
The most common verb for 'to pry open', implying the use of a tool like a crowbar to force something open.
The burglar pried the door open.
He tried to pry the can open.
Literally 'to open with a lever', this phrase explicitly mentions the tool (てこ) used for prying.
I pried the box open with a lever.
A shorter, more colloquial verb meaning 'to pry' or 'to wrench', often used in casual speech.
I pried the window open.
He pried into my privacy.