恣意的(しいてき)

しいてき
adjective-na
arbitrary; capricious; at one's own discretion
1. arbitrary; capricious; at one's own discretion
based on personal whim or discretion rather than objective criteria or established rules; done without proper justification
恣意的(しいてき)な判断(はんだん)は避(さ)けるべきだ。
Arbitrary judgments should be avoided.
データの恣意的(しいてき)な解釈(かいしゃく)は危険(きけん)だ。
Arbitrary interpretation of data is dangerous.
法律(ほうりつ)が恣意的(しいてき)に運用(うんよう)されると、国民(こくみん)の信頼(しんらい)を失(うしな)う。
If laws are applied arbitrarily, public trust will be lost.
上司(じょうし)の恣意的(しいてき)な人事(じんじ)異動(いどう)に社員(しゃいん)たちは不満(ふまん)を感(かん)じている。
The employees are dissatisfied with the boss's arbitrary personnel transfers.

Describes actions or decisions made on the basis of personal whim rather than objective standards. Almost always carries a negative connotation, implying unfairness or lack of proper justification. Frequently used in legal, political, and academic contexts.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 恣意的(しいてき)な判断(はんだん): arbitrary judgment
  • 恣意的(しいてき)な解釈(かいしゃく): arbitrary interpretation
  • 恣意的(しいてき)な運用(うんよう): arbitrary application (of rules)
  • 恣意的(しいてき)に選(えら)ぶ: to choose arbitrarily
  • 恣意的(しいてき)な決定(けってい): arbitrary decision

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 任意(にんい): optional, voluntary — neutral; means at one's discretion without negative connotation
  • 独断的(どくだんてき): unilateral, dogmatic — emphasizes deciding alone without consulting others
  • 勝手(かって): selfish, arbitrary — more colloquial; emphasizes acting without regard for others

REGISTER:
Formal. Common in legal writing, news articles, and academic papers. Rarely used in casual conversation.

general
Added 2026.4.4 6:22
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