Translation guide
Describes someone or something that changes mood, behavior, or decisions suddenly and unpredictably. Japanese expresses this through adjectives describing personality, weather, or whims, often emphasizing inconsistency or selfishness.
To say someone is moody, fickle, or changes their mind often without reason.
A common na-adjective/noun meaning whimsical or fickle. Can describe a person or their actions. Neutral to slightly negative.
He is a capricious person.
On a whim, I decided to go on a trip.
Literally 'changing mood', often used for romantic fickleness or easily shifting interests. Slightly literary.
She is capricious in love and quickly falls for someone else.
Colloquial noun meaning a moody person who acts on whims. Often used critically.
That boss is capricious, so be careful not to upset him.
Means easily bored or quick to lose interest. Focuses on lack of persistence rather than mood swings.
He is capricious and his hobbies change quickly.
To say the weather changes suddenly and unpredictably.
To say a decision or rule seems random, based on whim rather than reason.
気まぐれ is the most versatile and neutral, covering whimsical actions, people, and things. 移り気 specifically implies fickleness in affections or interests, often used in romantic contexts. 気分屋 is a colloquial, slightly negative term for a moody person who acts on whims.
He is capricious and suddenly starts singing.
With a capricious nature, her relationships don't last long.
That person is capricious; what they say today differs from yesterday.
There is no single Japanese word that perfectly matches all nuances of 'capricious'. Using 気まぐれ is safe for most contexts, but be aware of the specific nuance you want to convey.
気まぐれな空模様だ。
The sky looks capricious.
その規則の適用は恣意的だった。
The application of the rule was capricious.