Chinese word

随意

Pronunciation

Pinyinsuí yì

Meaning

  • adverbfreely

Example

你可以随意选择喜欢的食物。nǐ ké yǐ suí yì xuǎn zé xǐ huān de shí wù

You can freely choose the food you like.

Illustration for 随意 (freely)

More examples

他对工作不够负责，常常随意对待客户的需求。tā duì gōng zuò bú gòu fù zé cháng cháng suí yì duì dài kè hù de xū qiú

He is not responsible enough at work and often handles customers' requests casually.

Core concept

A choice or action follows a person's own wishes rather than a fixed outside plan.

Common phrases

  • 随意选择suí yì xuǎn zé

    freely choose

  • 随意安排suí yì ān pái

    freely arrange

  • 随意更改suí yì gēng gǎi

    freely change

Similar words

随便suí biàn: Casually choose or act as one likes, without hesitation or formality.
任意rèn yì: Choose or act at will when no restriction limits the available options.

Definition in Chinese

按照自己的想法或愿望去做，不受外在限制或特别安排。àn zhào zì jǐ de xiáng fǎ huò yuàn wàng qù zuò bú shòu wài zài xiàn zhì huò tè bié ān pái

Word origin

随 (suí, "follow") + 意 (yì, "thought or wish") forms the idea of following one's own wishes.

Usage tips

  • English "casually" can suggest a lack of care, but this adverb often leaves a choice open without criticizing the choice.

Other meanings

  • optionallyadverb
  • at willadverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 随意性suí yì xìngarbitrarinessnoun

Word lists with this word