Translation guide
The English adverb "indiscriminately" describes doing something without careful selection, distinction, or judgment. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through various adverbs, phrases, and grammatical patterns that convey randomness, lack of discrimination, or doing something to everything/everyone equally.
Expressing that an action is applied to all things or people without making any distinctions.
The terrorists attacked civilians indiscriminately.
Literally 'as one's hand touches', meaning doing something to whatever one comes across, without selection. Implies a haphazard, random approach.
He read books indiscriminately, whatever he could get his hands on.
Means 'without distinguishing' or 'without regard for differences'. Often used for actions done without considering the nature of the target.
He spent money indiscriminately.
A casual adverb meaning 'recklessly', 'randomly', or 'indiscriminately'. Often used in everyday speech.
Don't press buttons indiscriminately.
Means 'messily', 'recklessly', or 'indiscriminately'. Stronger and more colloquial, often implying chaos.
He threw things indiscriminately.
Describing actions done without proper consideration, often leading to negative outcomes.
When a rule, action, or treatment is applied to everyone or everything in the same way, often with a negative connotation of being too broad.
A grammatical pattern meaning 'regardless of ~'. Used to say something applies to all without discrimination.
This rule is applied indiscriminately, regardless of age.
Means 'without distinction'. Used when something is done to all without differentiating.
He treats customers indiscriminately.
While 無差別 (musabetsu) is correct, using 差別なく (sabetsu naku) can imply 'without discrimination' in the social justice sense. Be careful with context.
treat indiscriminately (neutral/negative)
treat without discrimination (positive, anti-discrimination)
やたらに is very common in spoken Japanese for 'indiscriminately' or 'randomly'. It often pairs with verbs like 使う (use), 押す (press), 食べる (eat).
He indiscriminately revealed secrets.