Refers to how one is perceived by others, especially in terms of social standing or honor. Often used in contexts where one's public image or the opinion of outsiders matters.
He always dresses neatly because he cares about his reputation.
あの店は余所聞きが悪いから、あまり行きたくない。
That shop has a bad reputation, so I don't really want to go there.
世間体 also refers to public appearance or social face, but 余所聞き is more about the reputation itself rather than the act of keeping up appearances.
Standard kanji spelling for this word.
Kana-kanji mixed spelling sometimes seen in less formal writing.
Compound of 余所 (よそ, 'outside', 'other place') and 聞き (きき, 'hearing', from 聞く). Literally 'what is heard from outside', referring to one's reputation among others.