expression, noun-modifying (irregular)
needing care; high-maintenance
Describes a person who requires a lot of attention or looking after, often used affectionately or with mild exasperation.
彼は本当に世話の焼ける弟だ。
He's a really high-maintenance little brother.
世話の焼ける客だったが、悪い人ではなかった。
He was a troublesome customer, but not a bad person.
expression, noun-modifying (irregular)
troublesome; annoying; difficult
Used for people or situations that are bothersome or hard to deal with. Overlaps with sense 1 but emphasizes the burden rather than the need for care.
世話の焼ける問題が次々と起こった。
Troublesome problems kept cropping up one after another.
From 世話 (care, looking after) + の + 焼ける (to burn, here metaphorically meaning to be troubled or burdened). The phrase literally suggests 'one's care is burning', i.e., requiring much effort.