運任(うんまか)せ

うんまかせ
noun, adjective-no
leaving things to chance, trusting to luck
1. leaving things to chance, trusting to luck
Relying on luck or fate rather than planning or effort. Often carries a slightly negative nuance, implying a lack of proper preparation.
運任(うんまか)せの旅(たび)に出(で)た。
I set off on a trip and left everything to chance.
試験(しけん)勉強(べんきょう)をせずに運任(うんまか)せで受(う)けた。
I took the exam without studying, leaving it all up to luck.
人生(じんせい)の大事(だいじ)な決断(けつだん)を運任(うんまか)せにしてはいけない。
You shouldn't leave important life decisions up to luck.

運任(うんまか)せ means relying on luck rather than planning or effort. Often carries a slightly negative nuance, suggesting carelessness or lack of preparation.

ETYMOLOGY:
Compound of 運(うん) (luck, fortune) + 任(まか)せ (leaving to, entrusting). The 〜任(まか)せ pattern appears in other words like 人(ひと)任(まか)せ (leaving things to others) and 成(な)り行(ゆ)き任(まか)せ (leaving things to take their course).

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 運任(うんまか)せにする: to leave to chance
  • 運任(うんまか)せで〜する: to do something trusting to luck
  • 運任(うんまか)せの + noun: a luck-dependent ~

SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:

  • 出(で)たとこ勝負(しょうぶ): playing it by ear, winging it
  • 成(な)り行(ゆ)き任(まか)せ: leaving things to take their course
  • 一(いち)か八(ばち)か: taking a gamble, all or nothing
general
Added 2026.3.11 19:35 · Revised 2026.4.3 21:43
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