asioissaan

Asioissaan is a Finnish idiomatic expression meaning "in one’s own affairs" or "mind your own business." It is used to describe someone who stays out of other people’s concerns or does not interfere in matters that do not concern them. The phrase can function as a descriptive statement about behavior or as a directive in conversation.

Etymology and form: The expression is built from the noun asia (matter, affair) and its plural form in the locative area, combined with the third-person possessive suffix to indicate ownership of the matters. The result, asioissaan, literally means “in his/her matters.” Grammatically, it is an adverbial phrase that typically describes the subject’s stance or action, such as staying out of others’ business or focusing on one’s own tasks.

Usage and nuances: Asioissaan tends to carry a neutral to mildly admonishing tone, depending on context and intonation. It can describe a restrained or prudent attitude toward interference, or it can be used as a prompt to others to avoid meddling. In everyday speech, speakers may pair it with verbs such as pysyä (to stay) or pitää kiinni (to keep to), forming phrases like pysyä asioissaan or pitää asioistaan kiinni.

Examples:

- Hän pysyi asioissaan eikä sekaantunut kaupungin tapahtumiin. (He kept to his own affairs and did not meddle in city events.)

- Toisten asioissa ei ole hänen asiansa; pysy asioissaan. (It is none of his business; mind your own affairs.)

See also: private matters, minding one’s own business, Finnish idioms.