arbitrariness; self-will; whim
Refers to acting based on one's own desires or whims without regard for rules or others' opinions. Often used in formal or critical contexts.
His decision is arbitrary.
This standard is prone to arbitrary judgment.
You should make a fair judgment without being swayed by self-will.
To eliminate arbitrariness in the review, clear criteria were established.
Personnel decisions were made at the president's arbitrary discretion.
気まま is a casual, everyday word for doing as one pleases with little negative weight, whereas 恣意 is formal and carries a critical tone about biased or unjust judgment.
独断 emphasizes making a decision alone without consulting others, while 恣意 focuses on the selfish or capricious motive behind such a decision.
私意 (personal opinion or selfish intent) is a homophone of 恣意 but is written with different kanji and refers more to one's private thoughts than to arbitrary action.
恣意 refers to arbitrary or capricious personal whim (often with a negative connotation), whereas 任意 simply means 'optional' or 'freely selectable' without that judgmental nuance.
Standard kanji form; the most common spelling in modern Japanese.
Rarely used kanji form.
From Middle Chinese-derived kanji 恣 (selfish, arbitrary) and 意 (mind, intention). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the compound has been used in formal Japanese to denote self-willed or arbitrary behavior.