世話を焼く

• Reading: せわをやく
• Romaji: sewa wo yaku
• Kanji breakdown: 世 (se/yo) — world, generation; 話 (wa/hanashi) — talk, story; 焼 (yaku) — burn, grill
• Pronunciation: /se.wa.o.ja.kɯ/

Meaning

To take care of someone; to look after someone; to be helpful or attentive to others.

An idiomatic expression combining 世話 (care, looking after) and 焼く (to burn/grill). The image is of someone working over a fire to attend to others. Often implies being somewhat overly attentive or meddlesome, though it can also be purely positive. Frequently used to describe someone with a nurturing personality.

Examples

1. 彼女はいつも周りの人の世話を焼いている。 She's always looking after the people around her.
2. 近所のおばさんが色々と世話を焼いてくれた。 The lady next door was very attentive and looked after us in all kinds of ways.
3. あまり世話を焼きすぎると嫌がられるよ。 If you're too attentive, people will get annoyed with you.

Usage Guide

Context: family, community, relationships

Tone: warm

Origin & History

Compound of 世話 (care, aid — originally meaning the world's talk/discussion, evolving to mean help) and 焼く (to burn). The metaphor likens caregiving to tending a fire — constant, hands-on attention.

Cultural Context

Era: Edo

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal