随ずい意い

also: ずい

ず

い

Common wordFreq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

1

na-adjective, noun

voluntary; optional; at one's discretion

Describes something done by free choice, without compulsion. Common in formal contexts such as rules, contracts, and official notices.

参さん

加か

は

随ずい

意い

です

の

で

、

ご

都つ

合ごう

に

合あ

わせ

て

お

越こ

し

ください

。

Participation is voluntary, so please come at your convenience.

この書しょ類るいの提てい出しゅつは随ずい意いとされています。

Submission of this document is considered optional.

Usage patterns

〈事こと〉は随ずい意いとするto leave something as optional / up to one's own discretion
説せつ明めい会かいへの参さん加かは随ずい意いとする。
Attendance at the information session is optional.
ご随ずい意いに〈動どう詞し〉くださいplease feel free to do as you like
お飲のみ物ものはご随ずい意いにお取とりください。
Please help yourself to drinks as you like.
随ずい意いに〈動どう詞し〉to do something freely, at one's own discretion
会かい員いんは随ずい意いに退たい会かいすることができる。
Members may withdraw at their own discretion.

Kanji

随follow, though, notwithstanding
意idea, mind, heart

Related words

任にん意いN1
任意 is the everyday and legal word for 'optional' or 'discretionary', while 随意 is more formal and stiff, common in old-fashioned notices and rules.
自じ由ゆうN4
自由 means 'free' in the broad sense of liberty or freedom, while 随意 narrowly means being free to choose in one specific matter without obligation.
随ずい時じ
随時 focuses on flexible timing (as needed), while 随意 focuses on free choice or discretion (as one likes), so they overlap but stress different aspects.
自じ在ざいN1
随意 is a formal word meaning 'at one's own discretion,' usually about choices, whereas 自在 stresses skillful, unrestricted control or movement.

Opposites

強きょう制せいN1
強制 means 'compulsory' or 'forced', the direct opposite of 随意's 'voluntary, at one's own discretion'.

Don't confuse with

随ずい時じ
随時 means 'at any time, as needed', while 随意 means 'voluntary, at one's discretion'; the two share the kanji 随 and are easily mixed up.

Word family

Written forms

随意Usage99%
- ずいい
  Standard kanji spelling; high-frequency news and spec priority.
- ずい
  irregular kana usage

Etymology

Compound of 随 (follow, comply) and 意 (mind, intention), literally 'following one's intention'. The meaning 'voluntary' or 'at one's discretion' is a natural extension.

い

契けい

約やく

private contract; negotiated contract; limited tender contract

ずい

Usage1%

irregular kana usage

Irregular kana usage. Rarely encountered.

ずいいUsage1%