1.
doing as one pleases; having one's own way
Acting freely without restraint or regard for others, often with a negative connotation of selfishness or lack of consideration.
子供に好き放題させてはいけない。
You shouldn't let children do whatever they want.
彼は好き放題に金を使っている。
He spends money however he pleases.
若いころは好き放題やっていたが、今は反省している。
I did whatever I wanted when I was young, but now I regret it.
A compound of 好き (liking, preference) and 放題 (as much as one likes, without limit). Carries a distinctly negative or critical nuance — used to describe behavior that is selfish, undisciplined, or excessive. Rarely complimentary.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 好き放題にする: to do as one pleases
- 好き放題に言う: to say whatever one wants (without restraint)
- 好き放題やる: to do whatever one likes
SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:
- 言いたい放題: saying whatever one wants (critical)
- 食べ放題: all-you-can-eat (neutral, commercial) — uses the same 放題 pattern but without the negative nuance
- わがまま: selfish, willful — describes the personality trait rather than the behavior
- 勝手に: on one's own, without permission — focuses on acting without consent