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ajeno

belonging to another

adjective ah-HEH-noh Less Common
Descriptions & Qualities Appearance

Origin: From Latin alienus (belonging to another).

Also means

foreign, alien

Usage Note

Ajeno covers three closely related senses: property that belongs to someone else (bienes ajenos), something outside one's control or concern (ajeno a los hechos = unconnected to the events), and, less commonly, unaware of something (ajeno a la realidad). It is not interchangeable with extraño (strange) or extranjero (foreign). The fixed phrase por causas ajenas a nuestra voluntad (for reasons beyond our control) is ubiquitous in formal notices.

Examples

"No te metas en asuntos ajenos."

Natural Translation

Don't get involved in other people's business.

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