1.
haphazard; unplanned; playing it by ear; random; improvised
Acting without a plan or preparation, just dealing with things as they come. Can describe either a carefree attitude or reckless disorganization.
行き当たりばったりの旅が好きだ。
I like unplanned trips.
計画を立てず、行き当たりばったりで行動した。
I acted without making a plan, just playing it by ear.
行き当たりばったりの経営では、いずれ失敗する。
Haphazard management will eventually lead to failure.
Can carry either a positive or negative nuance depending on context. When describing travel or leisure, it suggests a carefree, adventurous spirit. In work or business contexts, it implies irresponsible lack of planning. Functions as a noun modified by の, or as an adverbial modifier with で.
ETYMOLOGY:
From 行き当たる (to come across by chance) + ばったり (suddenly encountering). The doubling creates an emphatic sense of doing whatever one happens upon.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 行き当たりばったりの旅: an unplanned trip
- 行き当たりばったりの生活: an aimless lifestyle
- 行き当たりばったりで決める: to decide on the fly
- 行き当たりばったりに行動する: to act haphazardly
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 出たとこ勝負: playing it by ear; taking one's chances — similar meaning but focuses more on the element of risk
- 無計画: unplanned; without a plan — a more neutral, descriptive term
- 場当たり: ad hoc; improvised — often negative, implying stopgap measures without thinking ahead