JLPT · Level 60
45 words
Japanese word
勝手に
Pronunciation
Romajikatteni
Meaning
- adverbwithout permission
Example
人の物を勝手に使ってはいけません。hito no mono o kat te ni tsuka tte wa i ke ma se n
You must not use other people's things without permission.
More examples
店のルールを勝手に変えてはいけません。mise no rū ru o kat te ni ka e te wa i ke ma se n
You must not change the store's rules without permission.
Core concept
Shows that a person acts by personal choice without approval, or that something happens on its own without outside control.
Common phrases
勝手に決めるkat te ni ki me ru
decide on one's own
勝手に入るkat te ni hai ru
enter without permission
勝手に使うkat te ni tsuka u
use without permission
Similar words
無断でmudande: Without asking for permission from the person or group concerned.
自由にjiyūni: In a way that allows a person to choose and act without restriction.
Definition in Japanese
他人の許可や同意を得ず、自分の判断や都合で物事をするさま。ta nin no kyo ka ya dō i o e zu ji bun no han dan ya tsu gō de mono goto o su ru sa ma
Word origin
The origin of 勝手 (katte) is uncertain, but its senses include household affairs and personal convenience; adding に (ni) gives the adverbial sense of acting according to one's own convenience.
Usage tips
- The expression 勝手にする (katte ni suru) can describe doing something as one wishes, while its context often shows whether the action is merely independent or unauthorized.
Other meanings
- arbitrarilyadverb
- selfishlyadverb
- automaticallyadverb