私事
also: わたくしごと
Meanings
personal affairs; private matter
Refers to matters concerning one's own private life, as opposed to public or professional matters. Often used in formal or written contexts.
Please avoid leaving your seat for personal matters during the meeting.
He strictly separates his private affairs from his work.
personal secret; privacy
Used when referring to something one wishes to keep private or confidential; often appears in phrases like 私事に立ち入る (to pry into someone's private life).
Please don't pry too much into my personal affairs.
She doesn't like to talk much about her private matters.
Usage patterns
- 私事で恐縮ですがthough this is a personal matter (used before mentioning something private in a formal context)
I'm sorry to bring up a personal matter, but I'm getting married next month.
- 〈人〉の私事に立ち入るto pry into someone's private affairs
It's rude to pry into other people's private affairs.
- 私事のため〈動詞〉due to personal reasons, (do something)
I'll be taking some time off due to personal reasons.