私 事(しじ)

しじ

noun

personal matter; private affair

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(しじ)で恐縮(きょうしゅく)ですが。

I'm sorry to bring up a personal matter, but...

私事(しじ)ではございますが、この度(たび)結婚(けっこん)いたしました。

On a personal note, I recently got married.

仕事(しごと)と私事(しじ)はきちんと分(わ)けるべきだ。

One should properly separate work and personal matters.

Composed of 私(し) (private/personal) + 事(じ) (matter/affair). A formal word used especially in business and professional settings when introducing personal topics.

Pronunciation

Also sometimes read as わたくしごと, which sounds even more formal and humble.

Common collocations

私事(しじ)で恐縮(きょうしゅく)ですが: I'm sorry to mention something personal, but...
私事(しじ)ではございますが: on a personal note (very polite)
私事(しじ)を優先(ゆうせん)する: to prioritize personal matters

Similar words

個人的(こじんてき)なこと: personal thing — more casual, everyday usage
公私(こうし): public and private (matters) — used for the contrast between work and personal life
私用(しよう): personal use/business — focuses on activities done for personal reasons

Related Words

Compare: 公私(こうし) (public and private)

Compare: 私用(しよう) (personal use/business)

general

Added 2026.4.4 5:24 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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