Translation guide
The English word 'caprice' refers to a sudden, unpredictable change of mind or mood, often without reason. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through words describing whims, moodiness, and impulsive actions. The most common and natural way to express this idea depends on whether you are talking about a person's whimsical nature, a sudden impulse, or a fickle change of heart.
Expressing a sudden, often irrational desire or idea that leads to action.
The most common and versatile word for 'whim' or 'caprice'. It can describe a person's whimsical nature or a single impulsive act. Often used in the phrase 気まぐれで (on a whim).
He went on a trip on a whim.
She is a whimsical person.
Refers to a sudden idea or impulse, often with a nuance of being not well thought out. It emphasizes the spontaneity of the thought rather than the moodiness.
That's just a whim.
A sudden impulse, often used for minor misdeeds or pranks done on the spur of the moment. It carries a nuance of 'a momentary lapse' or 'a passing fancy'.
I told a lie on a whim.
Describing a person or thing that changes frequently and unpredictably, often in affections or decisions.
Describes a fickle or capricious nature, especially in romantic interests or hobbies. It implies a tendency to easily shift one's attention or affection.
He is capricious and quickly becomes interested in other women.
Same as 気まぐれ, but this kanji form emphasizes the 'mind getting lost' nuance. It can be used for both whims and fickleness.
An adjective meaning 'changeable' or 'fickle'. It is a straightforward way to describe something that changes easily, like weather or a person's mood.
Focusing on unpredictable emotional states, often with a negative connotation of being difficult to deal with.
A noun describing a moody person whose actions are dictated by their current feelings. It implies unreliability due to emotional whims.
He's so capricious, I don't know if he'll keep his promise.
A phrase meaning 'one's mind changes easily'. It directly describes a capricious tendency to change decisions or moods.
Used in more formal, literary, or philosophical contexts to describe an arbitrary or whimsical force.
Means 'self-indulgent' or 'willful', often used to describe a carefree, capricious lifestyle. It can be positive (free-spirited) or negative (selfish).
He leads a capricious, self-indulgent life.
Refers to elegance or taste, but can imply a capricious devotion to aesthetic pursuits. Rarely used in modern speech for 'caprice'.
English 'caprice' is often used as an abstract noun. In Japanese, it is more natural to use an adjective or a phrase describing the behavior or state, rather than a direct noun equivalent. For example, instead of saying 'His caprice is annoying', say 'He is capricious' (彼は気まぐれだ).
気まぐれ emphasizes the whimsical, mood-dependent nature of a person or action, while 思いつき focuses on the suddenness of an idea. Use 気まぐれ for describing a person's character or a decision made on a whim, and 思いつき for a spontaneous thought that may not be acted upon.
I bought a cake on a whim (because I felt like it).
I have a sudden good idea.
春の天気は気紛れだ。
Spring weather is capricious.
His mood is capricious.
She is so capricious that we can't settle anything.
彼の行動は風流心から出たものだ。
His actions stemmed from a capricious aesthetic sense.