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世話を焼く (せわをやく) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
expression, godan verb (-ku)
take care of ; look after ; help out
idiomatic expression
Used when someone willingly helps or looks after another person, often with a nuance of doing more than expected or being somewhat meddlesome, but generally positive.
彼かれ は 後こう 輩はい の 世せ 話わ を 焼や く の が 好す き だ 。
He likes looking after his juniors.
2
expression, godan verb (-ku)
meddle ; interfere ; be officious
idiomatic expression
Used when someone gives unwanted help or interferes in others' affairs, often with a negative connotation of being a busybody.
Written forms 世せ 話わ を 焼や く
Standard kanji spelling for this idiomatic expression.
世せ 話わ をやく
Kana spelling of the verb part; less common but still used.
Kanji 世 generation, world, society Similar words 世せ 話わ をする 世話をする is a more neutral and straightforward expression for taking care of someone, without the nuance of over-involvement or meddling that 世話を焼く can carry.
お 節せっ 介かい お節介 is a noun/adjective meaning meddlesome or officious, often used to describe a person's character, while 世話を焼く is the action itself.
Etymology The expression combines 世話 (care, help) with 焼く (to burn, to bake), metaphorically suggesting 'baking' or 'cooking up' care for someone, implying an active, sometimes excessive, involvement in another's affairs.
