helpful person; person who likes looking after others
Describes someone who willingly takes care of others or meddles in a positive, caring way. Often used affectionately.
She is a helpful person who always looks after those around her.
overly helpful person; annoyingly helpful person; busybody
Carries a negative nuance of excessive meddling or unwanted helpfulness. Can be used critically or jokingly.
That busybody really is a nuisance.
manager; go-between; caretaker
Refers to a person who acts as an intermediary or takes charge of practical arrangements, often in a community or family context. Less common than the first two senses.
As the neighborhood association's caretaker, he handles all the event arrangements.
世話好き is a more straightforward term for someone who likes taking care of others, without the potential negative nuance of 世話焼き.
Standard kanji spelling.
Variant without okurigana; less common but seen.
Compound of 世話 (care, help) and 焼き (from 焼く, here meaning 'to meddle' or 'to be deeply involved'). The exact derivation is uncertain, but the word has been used since the Edo period.