Describes an impulsive, quirky, or eccentric act done on a whim, often with a nuance of playful or drunken spontaneity. Can be used as a noun or na-adjective.
His actions are always eccentric.
I did it purely on a whim.
気まぐれ is a more common word for whim or caprice, often implying moodiness or fickleness. 酔狂 carries a stronger nuance of eccentricity or playful spontaneity, sometimes with a literary or old-fashioned feel.
物好き refers to a person who does things out of curiosity or for the love of it, often implying oddness. 酔狂 is more about the act or idea itself being whimsical or eccentric.
Standard kanji form. Literally 'drunken madness', but used idiomatically.
Alternate kanji form using 粋 (stylish/refined) instead of 酔 (drunk).
Rarely used kanji form (source rarely used kanji form).
Compound of 酔 (drunkenness) and 狂 (madness), literally 'drunken madness'. The idiomatic meaning of 'whim' or 'eccentricity' likely developed from the idea of acting as if intoxicated, without rational restraint. The alternate form 粋狂 replaces 酔 with 粋 (stylish), suggesting a refined eccentricity.