Spanish word

oficioso

Pronunciation

IPA/ofiˈθjoso/

Meaning

  • adjectivemeddlesome

Example

No seas oficioso y deja que hablen ellos.

Don't be meddlesome and let them talk.

Illustration for oficioso (meddlesome)

More examples

No aceptes la ayuda oficiosa de quien no conoces.

Don't accept meddlesome help from someone you don't know.

Core concept

Person handing a how-to pamphlet to a stranger unasked.

Common phrases

  • ayuda oficiosa

    meddlesome help

  • intervención oficiosa

    meddlesome intervention

Similar words

entrometido: Intrudes into other people's affairs without regard for personal boundaries.
metiche: Pokes into others' conversations or business to find out details.
impertinente: Behaves rudely and brazenly, showing little respect for manners.
pesado: Pesters persistently, becoming an annoying burden to others.

Definition in Spanish

Que impone ayuda o consejo a otros sin que se lo pidan, resultando inoportuno o impositivo.

Word origin

Via Latin officiosus, built from officium 'duty', the word moved from 'dutiful' to a sense of intrusive helpfulness that annoys others.

Usage tips

  • Speakers commonly avoid sounding oficioso by checking whether help is wanted, for example with '¿Quieres que te ayude?'

Opposites

Related words

  • oficiosamentemeddlesomelyadverb

Word lists with this word