Translation guide
The English phrase "at random" describes doing something without a specific pattern, purpose, or plan. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through various adverbs and phrases that convey randomness, haphazardness, or lack of order. The most common and versatile equivalent is 無作為に (musakui ni), which directly means "randomly" or "without purpose." Other options include 手当たり次第 (teatarishidai) for doing things indiscriminately, でたらめに (detarame ni) for nonsensical or haphazard actions, and ランダムに (randamu ni) as a casual loanword. The choice depends on the nuance: whether the randomness is intentional (like random sampling), careless (like throwing things around), or simply without order.
Expressing that something is done without a specific aim, method, or order, often in a neutral or formal context.
The subjects were chosen at random.
He picked up a book at random.
A loanword from English, used in casual and technical contexts. Very common in gaming, computing, and everyday speech. Slightly less formal than 無作為に.
Please draw a card at random.
Play songs at random.
Means 'arbitrarily' or 'at one's discretion.' In some contexts, it can imply randomness, but it often suggests a choice made without strict rules rather than pure chance. Used in mathematics and formal settings.
Set the value at random (arbitrarily).
Describing actions done in a disorganized, careless, or slapdash manner, often with a negative connotation.
Implies something is done in a random, nonsensical, or irresponsible way. It can mean 'randomly' but with a nuance of 'without thinking' or 'haphazardly.' Often used for speaking or acting without basis.
He lined up numbers at random (haphazardly).
Don't answer at random (don't give random answers).
Means 'messily' or 'in a disordered way.' It can be used for random, chaotic actions, but emphasizes the resulting disorder rather than the randomness itself.
Things are placed at random (in a mess) in the room.
Indicating that items or events occur in no particular order, often in the context of lists, selections, or processes.
A set phrase meaning 'in no particular order.' Commonly used in written lists, acknowledgments, or rankings to indicate that the order is random or not significant.
The following names are in random order (at random).
A compound using the loanword 'random' plus 'order.' Used in technical or casual contexts to describe a randomized sequence.
The questions are presented in random order.
Specifically referring to the statistical or methodological concept of random sampling.
The technical term for 'random sampling' in statistics and research. It is a compound of 無作為 (random) and 抽出 (extraction).
We collected samples at random (by random sampling).
無作為に (musakui ni) is neutral and often intentional, like random sampling. でたらめに (detarame ni) is negative, implying carelessness or nonsense. Use 無作為に for scientific or neutral contexts, and でたらめに when criticizing haphazard actions.
Choose at random (neutral) vs. Choose at random (haphazardly)
The word 偶然 (gūzen) means 'by chance' or 'accidentally,' not 'at random.' Do not use it to translate 'at random' when you mean 'without pattern.' For example, 'I met him at random' (meaning by chance) would be 偶然彼に会った, but 'I chose a number at random' should not use 偶然.
He picked a card at random.
The winners were chosen at random.
Don't just answer at random.
Literally 'as one's hand touches,' meaning doing something indiscriminately or to everything within reach. It conveys randomness through lack of selectivity, often with a sense of urgency or greed.
He read books at random (whatever he could get his hands on).
Throw things at random (indiscriminately).
The direct loanword for 'random sampling,' used in technical and business contexts.
We performed random sampling.