むやみ

む

や

み

JLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

1

usually written using kana alone

Describes acting without careful thought, often leading to negative consequences. Used as a na-adjective or noun.

むやみに人ひとを信しん用ようしてはいけない。

You shouldn't trust people indiscriminately.

彼かれのむやみな行こう動どうが問もん題だいを起おこした。

His reckless behavior caused problems.

2

usually written using kana alone

Often used adverbially as むやみに or むやみと to mean doing something to an unreasonable degree or without good reason.

むやみに〈動どう詞し〉to do something recklessly or without good reason
むやみに薬くすりを飲のむのは危き険けんだ。
It's dangerous to take medicine indiscriminately.
むやみな〈事こと〉a reckless or thoughtless act
むやみな行こう動どうは後あとで後こう悔かいすることになる。
Reckless behavior will lead to regret later.
むやみと〈動どう詞し〉to do something to an excessive, unreasonable degree
彼かれはむやみと自じ分ぶんの意い見けんを押おし付つけてくる。
He forces his opinions on others without any good reason.
むやみに〈形けい容よう詞し〉unreasonably or excessively (a certain quality)
この部屋へやはむやみに広ひろい。
This room is excessively large for no good reason.

やたらN2sense 2
やたら is a casual, spoken-style word for 'indiscriminately/excessively', while むやみ carries a stronger sense of acting without proper thought or reason and can sound more formal.
無む茶ちゃN1sense 1
無茶 describes something unreasonable or beyond sensible limits (even physically impossible), while むやみ focuses on the lack of careful thought or moderation behind an action.
妄みだり sense 1
みだり is a more formal/legal word for acting without proper authorization or reason, often in phrases like みだりに立ち入るべからず, whereas むやみ is broader and more common in everyday speech.
軽けい率そつN1sense 1
軽率 specifically means 'rash/careless in judgment' and describes a person's poor decision-making, while むやみ more generally describes reckless or excessive action itself.

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不ふ用よう意い sense 1
不用意 means 'careless/unprepared', emphasizing a lack of caution or readiness, whereas むやみ emphasizes acting without reason or restraint.
闇やみ雲くもN1
無闇 describes doing something excessively or thoughtlessly without regard for consequences, while 闇雲 emphasizes the absence of a clear direction or plan.

慎しん重ちょうN3sense 1
慎重 means 'careful, cautious', the direct opposite of むやみ's sense of reckless, thoughtless action.

むやみUsage83%
Usually written in kana; the kanji forms 無闇 and 無暗 are ateji and rare.
無む闇やみUsage13%
ateji (phonetic kanji usage)
Ateji spelling; rarely used.
無暗むやみUsage5%
ateji (phonetic kanji usage)
Ateji spelling; rarely used.

The origin is uncertain. The kanji 無闇 and 無暗 are ateji, combining 無 (without) with characters for darkness, suggesting 'without clarity or reason'.