1.
trifling errand; small bit of business; minor task
A vague, self-deprecating way to refer to an errand or task one needs to attend to, without specifying the details. Often used as a polite excuse to avoid explaining what one is doing.
ちょっと野暮用がありまして。
I have a little errand to run.
野暮用で外出しなければならない。
I need to go out on a small errand.
「どこに行くの？」「野暮用だよ。」
"Where are you going?" "Just a little errand."
USAGE:
野暮用 is used when someone wants to mention they have something to do without going into detail. It is self-deprecating — the speaker downplays the importance of their task. It is a convenient way to politely decline an invitation or excuse oneself.
ETYMOLOGY:
From 野暮 (unsophisticated, uncool) + 用 (business, errand). The idea is that the errand is too mundane or unglamorous to be worth mentioning.
SIMILAR WORDS:
用事 is a neutral term for errands or things to do. 野暮用 adds the nuance of something minor that the speaker prefers not to elaborate on.