French Conversation · Level 32
90 words
French word
arbitraire
Pronunciation
IPA/aʁbitʁɛʁ/
Meaning
- adjectivearbitrary
Example
La décision du juge me semble arbitraire.
The judge's decision seems arbitrary.
More examples
La sélection des candidats m'a semblé arbitraire.
The selection of candidates seemed arbitrary to me.
Core concept
A decision pulled from one person's preference or whim, with no fair reason or shared rule behind it.
Common phrases
décision arbitraire
arbitrary decision
choix arbitraire
arbitrary choice
Similar words
capricieux: Likely to change with mood or impulse, making it difficult to predict.
subjectif: Shaped by personal opinions or feelings rather than common standards.
injuste: Lacking fairness or justification and causing disadvantage or discrimination.
aléatoire: Determined by chance without a clear rule or cause, making the result unpredictable.
Definition in French
Qui résulte d'un choix personnel ou d'un caprice, sans fondement impartial ni règle générale.
Word origin
French arbitraire comes through Latin arbitrarĭus, 'dependent on judgment', from arbiter, a person who decides or arbitrates.
Usage tips
- Arbitraire is usually critical in French, so it suggests an unjustified or unfair decision rather than a harmless personal preference.