1.
personal matter; private affair; private business
Something that belongs to one's private life rather than work or public affairs. Often used as a polite preface when bringing up personal topics in a professional or formal setting.
私事で恐縮ですが。
I'm sorry to bring up a personal matter, but...
私事ではございますが、この度結婚いたしました。
On a personal note, I recently got married.
仕事と私事はきちんと分けるべきだ。
One should properly separate work and personal matters.
Composed of 私 (private/personal) + 事 (matter/affair). A formal word used especially in business and professional settings when introducing personal topics.
READING:
Also sometimes read as わたくしごと, which sounds even more formal and humble.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 私事で恐縮ですが: I'm sorry to mention something personal, but...
- 私事ではございますが: on a personal note (very polite)
- 私事を優先する: to prioritize personal matters
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 個人的なこと: personal thing — more casual, everyday usage
- 公私: public and private (matters) — used for the contrast between work and personal life
- 私用: personal use/business — focuses on activities done for personal reasons