お節介(せっかい)

おせっかい
na-adjective
meddlesome; nosy; intrusive
descriptive
1. meddlesome; nosy; intrusive
Interfering in others' affairs uninvited; offering unwanted help or advice.
お節介(せっかい)かもしれませんが、一言(ひとこと)言(い)わせてください。
This might be meddling, but let me say one thing.
彼女(かのじょ)はお節介(せっかい)な性格(せいかく)だ。
She has a nosy/meddlesome personality.
お節介(せっかい)を焼(や)く。
To meddle; to stick one's nose in.

Common expressions

  • お節介(せっかい)を焼(や)く - to meddle, to interfere
  • お節介(せっかい)な人(ひと) - a meddlesome person
  • お節介(せっかい)かもしれませんが - this might be meddling, but...
  • 余計(よけい)なお節介(せっかい) - unwanted interference

Usage

お節介(せっかい) describes someone who involves themselves in others' business, often with good intentions but without being asked. It can range from mildly annoying busybody behavior to genuinely helpful concern.
「お節介(せっかい)かもしれませんが…」 is a polite way to preface unsolicited advice, acknowledging that one might be overstepping.

Related Words

Related: 差(さ)し出(で)がましい (presumptuous)
Compare: 口出(くちだ)し (meddling)
Compare: 過干渉(かかんしょう) (overinvolvement)
Compare: 世話(せわ)好(ず)き (person who likes to help others)
general
Added 2026.1.19 13:09 · Revised 2026.10.6 9:38
07000/07309_osekkai