Bedeutung
Telling someone to mind their own business.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The phrase reflects the 'omertà' of the family unit. While Italians are famously social, family matters are strictly private. In the South, privacy can be even more guarded. Using this phrase can be a very strong signal to stop asking questions. On Italian social media, 'Non sono affari tuoi' is often used to combat 'web-moms' or 'keyboard warriors' who give unsolicited advice. Italians value hierarchy. Using this with a boss is a 'career-ending' move, as it violates the 'rispetto' (respect) code.
Watch your tone
This phrase can be very aggressive. Use it only when you really want to end a conversation.
The 'Scusa' buffer
Adding 'Scusa, ma...' at the beginning makes it slightly more socially acceptable among friends.
Bedeutung
Telling someone to mind their own business.
Watch your tone
This phrase can be very aggressive. Use it only when you really want to end a conversation.
The 'Scusa' buffer
Adding 'Scusa, ma...' at the beginning makes it slightly more socially acceptable among friends.
The 'Fatti' alternative
If you want to sound more like a local, use 'Fatti i fatti tuoi'—it's slightly more idiomatic.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb 'essere'.
Quello che faccio nel weekend non ____ affari tuoi.
Since 'affari' is plural, the verb must be 'sono'.
Match the response to the situation.
A nosy neighbor asks: 'Perché torni sempre così tardi?'
This is the appropriate way to rebuff a nosy personal question.
Which of these is the most formal way to say 'mind your business'?
Select the formal option:
This uses the formal 'La' and the neutral word 'riguarda'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Ho visto che hai comprato una macchina nuova. Quanto l'hai pagata?' B: 'Scusa, ma...'
The speaker is telling the other person (tu) that it's none of their business.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
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Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenQuello che faccio nel weekend non ____ affari tuoi.
Since 'affari' is plural, the verb must be 'sono'.
A nosy neighbor asks: 'Perché torni sempre così tardi?'
This is the appropriate way to rebuff a nosy personal question.
Select the formal option:
This uses the formal 'La' and the neutral word 'riguarda'.
A: 'Ho visto che hai comprato una macchina nuova. Quanto l'hai pagata?' B: 'Scusa, ma...'
The speaker is telling the other person (tu) that it's none of their business.
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
14 FragenYes, it is quite direct and can be perceived as rude depending on your tone. Use it only when a boundary has been crossed.
Absolutely not. It is far too informal and aggressive for a professional relationship.
In Italian, 'affari' (affairs) is traditionally plural when referring to one's general personal business.
'Non ti riguarda' is slightly more formal and neutral. 'Non sono affari tuoi' is more personal and sharp.
Yes, the singular version exists, but the plural 'non sono affari tuoi' is much more common.
Simply change the possessive: 'Non sono affari miei'.
It has the same meaning but is very vulgar. Do not use it in polite company.
Say 'Preferirei non rispondere a questa domanda' (I'd prefer not to answer this question).
Yes, you can say 'Questi documenti non sono affari tuoi' if someone is looking at your papers.
Yes, it is a standard expression used from Milan to Sicily.
Yes, parents often say it to children who are being too curious about adult conversations.
Using the singular verb 'è' instead of the plural 'sono'.
Yes, with a smile and a playful tone, it can be used among very close friends.
Often accompanied by a slight shrug or a hand gesture pushing the air away.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Fatti i fatti tuoi
synonymMind your own business
Non ti riguarda
similarIt doesn't concern you
Fatti i cazzi tuoi
specialized formMind your own [vulgarity]
Pensa per te
similarThink for yourself
Non sono affari miei
contrastIt's none of my business
