私事（わたくしごと、watakushigoto）
- personal matter

The Japanese word 私事 (わたくしごと, *watakushigoto*) refers to "personal matters," "private affairs," or "one's own business." It encompasses anything that is not related to one's official duties, work, or public life. It generally implies something private, individual, and not meant for public discussion or interference. It can relate to various aspects of someone's life, such as their family, health, hobbies, or personal finances. 私事 can also be interpreted as "personal reasons".

⚫︎私私事を理由に、欠席します。 Translation: I will be absent due to personal reasons. ⚫︎それは私の《私事なので、詳しく話せません。》 Translation: That's a personal matter of mine, so I can't go into detail. ⚫︎《私事で、しばらく会社を休みます。》 Translation: I will take a break from work for a while due to personal matters.

⚫︎This word is primarily used in formal or polite settings, especially when discussing sensitive topics. ⚫︎It is often used when providing explanations for why someone is unavailable, declining an invitation, or unable to disclose information. ⚫︎You would typically use 私事 to politely explain that the matter is private and not open for discussion. ⚫︎When writing in formal emails or letters, it is frequently used.

⚫︎The word is typically written with the kanji 私 (*watakushi*) meaning "I" or "private" and 事 (*koto*) meaning "matter" or "affair". ⚫︎The reading is わたくしごと ( *watakushigoto*) in hiragana. ⚫︎There are no other common ways to write this word. ⚫︎There are no variations in okurigana.

⚫︎個人的なこと (*kojin-teki na koto*): Personal things/matters. ⚫︎プライベートなこと (*puraibēto na koto*): Private things/matters. ⚫︎内緒のこと (*naisho no koto*): Secret things/matters.

⚫︎公的なこと (*kouteki na koto*): Public matters. ⚫︎仕事 (*shigoto*): Work/business. ⚫︎業務 (*gyōmu*): Duties/work.

《私事のために、早退させてください。》 ・Translation: Please allow me to leave work early due to personal matters. ・Explanation: This sentence politely requests to leave work early and provides the reason as "personal matters", avoiding the need to disclose specific details.

今回の件は私の《私事に関わることなので、コメントを差し控えます。》 ・Translation: I will refrain from commenting on this matter, as it concerns my personal affairs. ・Explanation: This sentence politely declines to comment, stating that the issue is a personal matter.

The word 私事 is formed by combining the kanji 私 (*watakushi*), which means "private," "personal," or "I," with the kanji 事 (*koto* or *ji*), which means "matter," "affair," or "thing." Therefore, the literal meaning is "private matters" or "personal affairs," which accurately reflects its usage.