The Japanese word 「他人事」 (ひとごと)

 The Japanese word 「他人事」 (ひとごと) is a fascinating and often used term that expresses a specific nuance of detachment or disinterest. Let's break down its meaning and how to use it.

Meaning of 他人事 (ひとごと)

「他人事」 literally means "other people's matter" or "someone else's affair." However, its deeper meaning is that of treating something as if it doesn't concern oneself, or showing a lack of personal involvement, responsibility, or interest.

It implies a sense of:

• Detachment: Not feeling personally affected by a situation.
• Indifference: Not caring about what's happening.
• Irresponsibility: Shifting blame or avoiding one's own role.
• Lack of empathy: Not relating to another's feelings or problems.

Essentially, when you describe something as 「他人事」, you're highlighting that the person in question is viewing it from a distance, without internalizing its significance or impact.

How to Use 他人事 (ひとごと) in Japanese

「他人事」 is primarily used as a noun or in a noun phrase, often with particles like 「に」, 「として」, or as part of a modifying phrase with 「のような」.

Here are common patterns and examples:

1. 他人事のように (ひとごとのように): "As if it were someone else's problem/affair" / "Indifferently" / "Without personal concern"

   This is one of the most common ways to use it. It describes how someone is acting or speaking.

   • 彼はそのニュースを他人事のように聞いていた。

     (Kare wa sono nyūsu o hitogoto no yō ni kiite ita.)

     He was listening to the news as if it were someone else's problem (i.e., with little personal interest).

   • 自分のミスなのに、彼は他人事のように振る舞っている。

     (Jibun no misu nanoni, kare wa hitogoto no yō ni furumiatte iru.)

     Even though it's his own mistake, he's acting as if it's someone else's problem.

   • 友人の悩みを他人事のように聞くべきではない。

     (Yūjin no nayami o hitogoto no yō ni kiku beki de wa nai.)

     You shouldn't listen to your friend's worries as if they're someone else's problem (i.e., without empathy).

2. 他人事と考える (ひとごとと考える): "To consider it someone else's problem"

   This phrase emphasizes the act of viewing a situation with detachment.

   • この問題は他人事と考えず、自分ごととして捉えるべきだ。 (Kono mondai wa hitogoto to kangaezu, jibungoto toshite toraeru beki da.) You shouldn't consider this problem someone else's affair; you should perceive it as your own. (Note: 「自分事」(じぶんごと) is the antonym, meaning "one's own matter/problem.")

3. 他人事ではない (ひとごとではない): "It's not someone else's problem" / "It concerns me/us too"

   This is a very common and powerful phrase used to emphasize that a situation does indeed affect the speaker or the group, urging personal responsibility or involvement.

   • この環境問題は、私たちにとっても他人事ではない。

     (Kono kankyō mondai wa, watashitachi ni totte mo hitogoto de wa nai.)

     This environmental problem is not someone else's problem for us either (i.e., it concerns us too).

   • 彼の失敗は、明日は我が身かもしれない。他人事ではないよ。

     (Kare no shippai wa, asu wa waga mi kamo shirenai. Hitogoto de wa nai yo.)

     His failure might be mine tomorrow. It's not someone else's problem, you know.

4. 他人事に聞こえる (ひとごとにきこえる): "To sound like someone else's problem"

   Used to describe how someone's words come across.

   • 彼の謝罪は、どこか他人事に聞こえた。 (Kare no shazai wa, dokoka hitogoto ni kikoeta.) His apology somehow sounded like it was someone else's problem (i.e., insincere or lacking personal responsibility).

Important Note on Pronunciation

While the kanji for 「他人事」 are 「他人」 (ta-nin, meaning "other people") and 「事」 (koto, meaning "thing/matter"), the reading is NOT 「たにんごと」. It is almost exclusively pronounced 「ひとごと」. This is an irregular reading (jukujikun) that you simply need to remember.

In summary, 「他人事」 is a versatile word to describe a detached or unconcerned attitude toward a situation, often implying a lack of responsibility or empathy. It's a key term to understand for nuanced Japanese communication.