Japanese word

任意

Pronunciation

Romajinin'i

Meaning

  • na-adjectiveoptional

Example

参加は任意です。san ka wa nin i de su

Participation is optional.

Illustration for 任意 (optional)

More examples

説明会への出席は任意になっています。setsu mei kai e no shus seki wa nin i ni na tte i ma su

Attendance at the information session is optional.

Core concept

Marks something as available for selection without making it necessary for everyone.

Common phrases

  • 任意の参加nin i no san ka

    optional participation

  • 任意の項目nin i no kō moku

    optional item

Similar words

自由jiyū: A state in which a person is not bound by a rule, duty, or fixed choice.

Definition in Japanese

必要条件とせず、各人の判断で選択や実行をしてもしなくてもよいさま。hitsu yō jō ken to se zu kaku jin no han dan de sen taku ya jik kō o shi te mo shi na ku te mo yo i sa ma

Word origin

The compound 任意 (nin'i) joins 任 (nin, "entrust") with 意 (i, "intention"), linking the word's meaning to a matter entrusted to personal choice.

Usage tips

  • 任意 (nin'i) can describe an optional field on a form, where leaving it blank does not prevent the form from being submitted.

Other meanings

  • arbitraryna-adjective
  • discretionaryna-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 任意性niniseioptionalitynoun

Word lists with this word